The prize, representative of leader Kim Jong Il's idea of attaching importance to science and technology, was instituted in Juche 92 (2003) on behalf of scientists and technicians of merit as well as successful projects.

Along with its institution, the prize was awarded to over 10 scientists and technicians, including Ri Yon Ho, a section chief of Kim Je Won Haeju University of Agriculture, and Mun Ho, a section chief of the Microbiological Research Institute under the State Academy of Sciences.

Scores of projects have been admitted to the prize while hundreds of scientists, technicians, officials and even workers received the prize for taking active part in successfully carrying them out.

This year, a lot of people were awarded the prize on the occasion of the Day of the Shining Star, birthday of Kim Jong Il (Feb. 16).