Pyongyang, April 20 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il was a peerlessly great man who defended socialist Korea from foreign forces' persistent moves to stifle it and laid solid foundations for the nation's prosperity.

He worked out a blueprint for a rosy future of the DPRK and wisely led its people's heroic drive to turn it into a prosperous and powerful country.

In June Juche 85 (1996) the leader toured the Anbyon Youth Power Station nearing the completion of its construction. Highly appreciating the solider-builders for devotedly working to carry out the supreme commander's order despite hardships and difficulties, he called their spirit the revolutionary solider spirit and urged all the people to follow it.

Thus the revolutionary working style and spirit, created by the People's Army, prevailed throughout the country as the torch of the times. This resulted in creation of the Kanggye spirit in Jagang Province and appearance of torches of Songgang and Ranam, bringing a turning phase in the building of a thriving nation.

Such signal events were taking place one after another as large-scale land rezoning, completion of Kaechon-Lake Thaesong and Paekma-Cholsan waterways, successful launch of satellite Kwangmyongsong-1 and construction of minor hydraulic power stations and modern production bases across the country.

Under Kim Jong Il's energetic guidance the DPRK succeeded in the historic nuclear test in Oct. 2006, emerging a nuclear weapons state.

Unrolling the grandiose plan to make 2012 a year of decisive victory in the history of building a thriving nation, he visited the Chollima Steel Complex on Dec. 24, 2008 to kindle the torch of fresh surge.

Thanks to his patriotic devotion and tireless efforts, the DPRK successfully launched its satellite Kwangmyongsong-2 and conducted another underground nuclear test, displaying its tremendous strength. Also such achievements were made as establishment of Juche-based production systems of iron, fiber and fertilizer, the cherished desire of President Kim Il Sung.

A dynamic drive for breaking through the cutting edge of science and technology opened up the era of industrial revolution in the new century, and many modern production bases including Taedonggang Combined Fruit Farm were built in different parts of the country.

When the DPRK was at the turning point of opening the door to prosperity, leader Kim Jong Il passed away in a train on the way of his field guidance.

Total length of his journey of field guidance for building a thriving country reached to more than 353 600 km.