Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), met and congratulated labor innovators and persons of merits participating in the celebrations of the 74th founding anniversary of the DPRK on Thursday.

The hearts of all the participants were filled with strong emotions and joy of the highest honor of their lives of having a photo session on Mansu Hill where the statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il , the founder and builders of our dignified state, stand courteously.

When the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un arrived at the venue, all the participants raised thunderous cheers of "Hurrah!", extending gratitude in tears to him who proudly puts forward the lives and struggle of the working people on the platform of happiness and honor.

Sending warm greetings to the participants, he congratulated the labor innovators and persons of merit invited to the celebrations of the founding anniversary of the DPRK with the extraordinary pride and honor of contributing to the prosperity and development of the socialist country.

Saying that the Party and the government of the DPRK value the patriotic devotion and clean conscience of the working people for their motherland more than anything else, Kim Jong Un added that labor innovators and persons of merit who place their duties as a citizen before their rights to enjoyment, taking pains and making strenuous efforts to relieve the country of its heavy burdens, are true representatives of the people and genuine patriots.

Highly praising the noble outlook on life and service of the patriotic working people who fully discharge their core and pace-setting roles as the vanguard in defending socialism and creators of fresh innovation at their posts and worksites by cherishing the lines and policies of the Party and the state as the absolute truth and devoting untiring efforts, Kim Jong Un had a meaningful photo session with the labor innovators and merited persons.

A grand banquet for the labor innovators and persons of merit was given at the garden of the Mansudae Assembly Hall, in the presence of Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju,.

Also attending the banquet were leading officials of the Party, the government and the military including Kim Tok Hun, Jo Yong Won, Choe Ryong Hae, Pak Jong Chon and Ri Pyong Chol.

A congratulatory speech was made at the banquet.

The banquet venue spread by a moving picture of sharing the feelings of a family under the care of a great father, was filled with the joy of the participants spending the happy time like a dream.

Kim Jong Un learnt about the health and work successes of the labor innovators and merited persons who devote themselves to the prosperity and development of the country and the people's well-being, encouraging them warmly.

Saying that the mightiness of our state is supported by each creation and work success associated with the tireless patriotic enthusiasm, painstaking efforts and heart and soul of the great people, he expressed expectation that the participants will in the future, too, glorify their honorable lives as pioneers of the times the country and people put forward proudly.

All the participants were full of loyalty and pledge of repayment to make every possible effort with a do-or-die spirit for the prosperity and development of the motherland, the eternal home of the people, cherishing the paternal feelings and great trust bestowed by him on them as their best treasure. -0-

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