The group is made up of more than 1 000 exemplary school youth and children selected from across the country. It left Phophyong and will arrive at Mangyongdae, the time-honored place, by making a 1 000-ri (250-mile) trip associated with giant footsteps of the President.

It held its departure meeting at Phophyong on Saturday to mark the 90th anniversary of the President's 1 000-ri journey for learning.

Its participants laid a floral basket before the statue of the President at the Phophyong Revolutionary Site and paid tribute to him.

They began their march, led by a banner bearing the portrait of smiling great Generalissimo Kim Il Sung and another banner bearing the portrait of smiling great Generalissimo Kim Jong Il and flying flags of the tour group and red flags.