The long journey of his inspection tours of military units was not smooth, and this course was interwoven with steep mountainous roads and rough sea routes.

On March 20, 1996 alone, he personally drove 400 kilometers to inspect units of the Korean People's Army in the eastern frontline area.

In the whole period of his Songun leadership he toured more than 12 790 units in total, which covered 629 992 kilometers. The tours were prompted by his strong will to defend the country and socialism from the U.S.-led imperialists' political, military and economic blockades.

He had not taken even a day off for rest during his Songun guidance. He would say that if he took rest for a while, the nation's development would slow down for that time.

In his lifetime leader Kim Jong Il visited more than 14 290 entities, covering 669 844 kilometers.

It is entirely thanks to his Songun leadership that the DPRK turned into a country with modern armed forces and inexhaustible strength.