They were to mark the 18th anniversary of General Secreatry Kim Jong Il's election as chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission.

Reporters and speakers said that his election was a big event of weighty significance in achieving the country's prosperity and accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Songun and the greatest fortune for the army and people of the DPRK.

Kim Jong Il formulated the Songun politics as the basic political mode under socialism and established the state leadership system with the NDC as its backbone, they said, adding: This provided a sure guarantee for accomplishing the revolutionary cause of Juche.

They noted with appreciation that Kim Jong Il is an extraordinary statesman and a symbol of everlasting victory as he has put the country's strength on the highest stage by dint of ever-victorious Songun politics and opened a great heyday of the country's prosperity.

Present at the meetings were Choe Ryong Hae, secretary of the C.C., the Workers' Party of Korea, officials concerned, youth and students and members of the GFTUK and the DWUK.