The birth of Kim Jong Il was a great event of weighty historic significance for progressive mankind struggling for independence, the statement said.

He developed and enriched the Juche idea founded by Kim Il Sung and thus glorified it as the guiding idea in the era of independence and firmly defended socialism with his Songun politics, it noted.

He provided the guidelines clearly indicating the way to be followed by progressive mankind with his energetic ideological and theoretical activities, it said, adding the great feats he performed for the Korean revolution and the cause of global independence will shine forever.

It said that the Korean people are dynamically advancing along the road indicated by Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, full of the conviction of victory, holding Marshal Kim Jong Un in the highest posts of the party and state.