Traditionally in the country, all the children have been given presents by the state every year on the occasions of the birth anniversary of President Kim Il Sung and the birthday of Kim Jong Il.

The tradition had been carried on even in the period of "Arduous March", the forced march, not excepting the children in remote villages and solitary islands.

Last year beacon islets belonging to North Phyongan Province had sea routes blocked by abnormal climatic conditions, making the children and their parents and teachers take it as a matter of course to see presents coming late.

But presents were transported by a helicopter for a small number of children, a measure taken by Kim Jong Il.