It was attended by members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, leading officials of the Party and the government, the chairperson of a friendly party, officials of ministries, national institutions, armed forces organs and city-level institutions and meritorious persons.

Also present there were overseas compatriots, including the congratulatory groups of Koreans in Japan and the General Association of Koreans in China for celebrating the Day of the Shining Star and the art troupe of Koreans in Japan, and the chief of the Pyongyang mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front.

Present there on invitation were diplomatic envoys, representatives of international bodies, military attaches and their spouses here and other foreigners.

Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, vice-chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and vice-chairman of the C.C., WPK, made a speech.

He said that Kim Jong Il is a peerless patriot, benevolent father of people and great sage of revolution who made immortal dedication to the victorious advance of the revolutionary cause of Juche, national reunification and cause of global independence with his rare wisdom and outstanding guidance.

Under the guidance of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, brilliant achievements have been made in the struggle for bringing into full bloom Kim Jong Il's plans and desires, and the dignity and prestige of the DPRK demonstrated all over the world, he pointed out.

He stressed that the WPK and the people of the DPRK would hold Kim Jong Il in high esteem as the eternal sun of Juche, creditably carry forward and develop his idea and exploits and surely build the best country where the people lead a happy life with nothing to envy, as desired by him.