Julio Cesar Pantigoso Barretto, chairman of the Chiclayo and Trujillo Branch of the Peru-Korea Institute of Culture and Friendship, said in his statement on February 16:

Kim Jong Il was a great leader and statesman who developed in depth the Juche idea and thoroughly applied it in the revolution and construction to powerfully promote the building of a socialist power in the DPRK and the independent and peaceful reunification of the country.

He conducted energetic activities to strengthen friendship and solidarity with the peoples of countries aspiring after independence.

The Peruvian people are highly praising him for having constantly adhered to the Juche-based and revolutionary stand.

The Mfumalanga Provincial Group for the Study of the Juche Idea of South Africa in its statement on February 7 praised the revolutionary career of Kim Jong Il who was born and grew up in Mt Paektu, hearing gunfire during the great anti-Japanese war.

The DPRK fought against the U.S.-led imperialist allied forces to defend its sovereignty.

It is a powerful nuclear weapons state, recognized by not only the DPRK's friends but also the enemies.