The statement referred to the fact that Kim Jong Il has firmly safeguarded the sovereignty and dignity of the country and the peace and security in the Korean Peninsula and the rest of Northeast Asia with his Songun leadership.

Kim Jong Il increased the military and technical might of the Korean People's Army in every way through his ceaseless field guidance to units of the KPA and put forward the economic construction line of the Songun era on giving priority to the growth of the national defence industry while simultaneously developing light industry and agriculture, the statement noted.

Under the Songun leadership of Kim Jong Il the DPRK turned into an impregnable fortress, it said, adding that the imperialists do not dare ignite a new war in fear of the strong military might of the DPRK.

The statement fully supported the DPRK people in their struggle to accomplish the country's reunification independently and peacefully. -0-