On this occasion, the servicepersons and civilians of the DPRK recall with deep emotion the tireless efforts Kim Jong Il paid to strengthening the KPA.

He began his Songun (military-first) revolutionary leadership with an inspection of the Seoul Ryu Kyong Su Guards 105th Tank Division of the KPA on August 25, Juche 49 (1960).

During his guidance over the Songun revolution he had made a journey of more than 630 000 kilometers, visiting 12 790 military and civilian units without regard to weather conditions or day and night.

His inspection of the Dwarf Pine Post on January 1, 1995, represented his steadfast will to accomplish the cause of socialism with arms. Since then, he had inspected more than 2 490 military units till the last moments of his life.

It was in March 1996 that he first went over the Chol Pass to visit frontline military units. Then he often drove over the pass to give strength and courage to the servicepersons defending the country and the people. Such inspection reached every military post throughout the country.

His energetic efforts and ceaseless military inspection strengthened the KPA into the invincible Paektusan army and turned all its men and officers into stalwart combatants and persons strong in faith and ideology who are ready to dedicate their lives to defending the party and the leader and the country and the people.

Now the men and officers of the KPA are fully determined to win the final victory of the Songun revolution under the guidance of KPA Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un.