The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) held a national meeting here Wednesday to commemorate the 70th birth anniversary of late leader Kim Jong Il, the official news agency KCNA reported.

According to the KCNA, Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), the army and the state attended the meeting.

Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, praised the feats of Kim Jong Il in a report.

"Kim Jong Il's nearly 70-year-long revolutionary life was the most brilliant life of the peerlessly great man who adorned the protracted course of the Juche revolution, the Songun (military first) revolution with shining victory and glory, with boundless loyalty to the idea and cause of President Kim Il Sung," he said.

The top legislator also said Kim Jong Il made great contributions to the peace and stability of both northeast Asia and the world at large.

"All the party members, servicepersons and people should protect Kim Jong Un politically and ideologically with their lives and get united around him, cherishing the spirit of single-minded unity to invariably defend the center of the unity and the center of the leadership," the statement said.

The DPRK would stick to the idea of independence, friendship and peace, and boost the friendship with all the countries that respect its sovereignty in the future, he said.

Choe Yong Rim, premier of the Cabinet, and Ri Yong Ho, chief of the KPA General Staff, also attended the ceremony. They are also members of Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee.

Kim Jong Il was born on Feb. 16, 1942. He died on the morning of Dec. 17, 2011 due to a great mental and physical strain.