Chairman Kim Jong Il's election as the general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) on Oct. 8, Juche 86 (1997) was a political event which was very significant for the development of our Party and revolution, says Rodong Sinmun in an editorial.

It goes on:

As the Party was led by him, it could steadily advance the cause of the Juche revolution, the socialist cause, firmly preserving its revolutionary character and true nature.

He developed our Party for more than half a century. During the long period he set an epoch-making example in the building of a socialist ruling party with his brilliant ideological and theoretical intelligence and rare leadership, and brought about great miracles and changes in all the sectors of the revolution and construction.

The days when he led our Party and revolution after his assumption of the heavy responsibility as the general secretary of the WPK were specially recorded in the history of building a Juche-oriented party.

His idea and leadership served as the motive power for turning our Party into a mighty one adding eternal brilliance to the invincible history and traditions and for making the country an independent power and impregnable fortress.

As he led our Party and people, they could win great victories in defending socialism and building a thriving country, courageously and proactively overcoming the stern trials in high spirit.

The feats performed by him in strengthening our Party into the militant staff for the Korean revolution with his most outstanding qualifications and personality will shine forever.

Minju Joson also praises him as a peerlessly great man who opened the most brilliant chapter of the cause of building the Juche-oriented party with his outstanding ideology and theory and rare leadership and led the Korean revolution to victory and glory for a long time.