They visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the sacred temple of Juche, and paid tribute to President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il before the portraits of their smiling images on the New Year.

Service personnel, people and school youth and students visited the statues of the great leaders on Mansu Hill and Sinuiju, Wonsan, Chongjin and Hamhung cities and other parts of the country to pay tribute to them.

Art performances in Pyongyang and local areas revved up the mood of the holiday.

A concert was given by the National Symphony Orchestra at the Moranbong Theatre and a music and dance performance by the National Folk Art Troupe at the Ponghwa Art Theatre.

New Year performances were given by schoolchildren at the Hamhung Grand Theatre, art theatres in North Phyongan and North Hwanghae provinces, Kaesong Schoolchildren's Palace, Chongjin Schoolchildren's Palace and other places.

Folk games of schoolchildren were held at Kim Il Sung Square, plazas of the Arch of Triumph Square and the Pyongyang Indoor Stadium and other places of the capital city of Pyongyang.

An ice sculpture festival outside the Kaeson Youth Park drew great attention of citizens of Pyongyang.

Warm feelings overflowed at the Pyongyang and Wonsan Baby Homes and Orphanages, the Pyongyang Home for the Aged and other places.