Attending it were Kim Yong Nam, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK and president of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly; Choe Ryong Hae, Presidium member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK, vice-chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and vice-chairman of the C.C., WPK; Premier Pak Pong Ju, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK and vice-chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK; and officials of the Party and government and armed forces organs.

Present were members of the party central leadership organ, officials of the Party Central Committee, armed forces organs, ministries and national institutions, officers and men of the Korean People's Army and the Korean People's Internal Security Forces, teachers and students of Mangyongdae Revolutionary School and Kang Pan Sok Revolutionary School, officials of institutions and industrial establishments, those who had the honor of being received by President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il, labor innovators and working people in Pyongyang and congratulatory groups and delegations of overseas compatriots including a congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan and other compatriots.

Present on invitation were representatives of foreign embassies and international organizations, military attaches and other foreign guests here.

Choe Ryong Hae made a report at the meeting.

The reporter said that the revolutionary career of Kim Jong Il was an ardent life of a peerless patriot who laid a solid foundation for the building of a socialist power through total dedication with his plan and desire to glorify the country of Juche all over the world.

Kim Jong Il was a gifted thinker and theoretician who provided the undying ideological and theoretical treasure for prosperity of Juche Korea with his distinguished wisdom and unusual pursuit, the reporter said, and went on:

He is an outstanding statesman who provided the powerful political force for carrying forward the cause of building a powerful socialist country and a peerlessly illustrious commander who provided the powerful military guarantee for victoriously advancing the building of a thriving country.

He is the genius of creation and construction as he laid a strong springboard from which to make our country leap toward an economic power and a highly civilized country.

He advanced the patriotic line and policies for independent reunification and paved a wide avenue for building a reunified country, dignified and prosperous, and made great contributions to strengthening the world socialist movement and realizing the cause of independence against imperialism through his outstanding diplomatic savvy and energetic external activities.

With his noble responsibilities for the future of the country and the revolution, he gave a perfect solution to the issue of succession to the leadership. This is the greatest patriotic feat that provided a sure guarantee for the eternal future of Juche Korea and its ever-lasting victory.

The noble revolutionary career and feats of Kim Jong Il, who laid an eternal cornerstone for guaranteeing the prosperity of the country and the happiness of posterity and opened up the bright prospect of Juche Korea, will shine long for all ages, the reporter stressed.

Meanwhile, similar meetings took place in provinces, cities, counties and industrial complexes on the same day.