To mark the day this year service personnel started torchlight relay with due ceremony on Mt. Osong on Monday. The mountain is associated with Songun leadership of Generalissimo Kim Jong Il.

The relay group is divided into two: one in the east coastal Sea area and the other in the west coastal area. Their destination is Pyongyang.

Present at the ceremony were General Pak Jae Gyong and other generals, officers and exemplary soldiers of ground, naval, air and air defence forces.

All the participants made solemn salutes looking up to the flags portraying smiling Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, shouting "Hurrah!"

A report was made at the ceremony which was followed by speeches.

The reporter and speakers said the whole course of the relay is associated with patriotic devotion made by the Generalissimos to the country and people, referring to the pride of holding the ceremony on Mt. Osong ahead of Youth Day.

They noted the relay would demonstrate to the whole world the revolutionary spirit of service personnel for accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche started on Mt. Paektu.

As the start command was made, the ranks of the relay runners started for the destination, following the torchbearers.

All the participants were full of firm will to advance along the road of independence, Songun and socialism indicated by Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il under the leadership of Supreme Commander Marshal Kim Jong Un.