2017 is a significant year which greets the 105th birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung, the 75th birth anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il, the 100th birth anniversary of anti-Japanese war hero Kim Jong Suk and the 5th anniversary of Marshal Kim Jong Un's election to the top posts of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and the DPRK.

Kim Jong Suk, chairwoman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries who doubles as chairwoman of the Korean Committee for Solidarity with the World People, was elected chairwoman of the preparatory committee, Ri Yong Chol, vice department director of the WPK Central Committee, Pak Song Il, vice-chairman of the Central Broadcasting Committee of Korea, and O Yong Chol, vice-minister of Culture, vice-chairmen of the preparatory committee and Pak Kyong Il, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries who doubles as vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Solidarity with the World People, secretary general of the preparatory committee.

The preparatory committee decided to organize diverse activities to introduce and add shine to the greatness and exploits of the peerlessly great persons of Mt. Paektu and make meticulous arrangements to let the Meeting Praising Great Persons of Mt. Paektu be held in Pyongyang and on Mt. Paektu in 2017 successfully in close contact with the preparatory committees formed in regions and countries throughout the world.

Preparatory committees for the 2017 Meeting Praising Great Persons of Mt. Paektu have been formed in Asia-Pacific, European, African, American, Oceanian and Arab regions and more than 60 preparatory committees in about 50 foreign countries so far reflecting the unanimous aspiration and desire of the world progressive people. They are conducting colorful activities.