DPRK top leader sends wreath to cemetery

The top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un sent a wreath Monday to the cemetery of martyrs of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (CPVA) on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the victory in the great Fatherland Liberation War.

The wreath was placed Monday at the cemetery, which is located in Hoechang County, South Phyongan Province, according to state-run news agency KCNA.

In the wee hours of the day, Kim also paid tribute to late leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun.

The guards of honor of the Korean People's Army (KPA) Ground, Navy, Air and Anti-Air Force and the Worker-Peasant Red Guards paid tribute to the late leaders before the statues.

Kim and KPA officers and soldiers placed a floral basket before the statues and bowed to them.

According to earlier reports of the KCNA, Kim on Saturday paid tribute to the CPVA for its role in his country's liberation.

"I extend noble respects to the martyrs of the Korean People's Army and the Chinese People's Volunteers," Kim said in a speech at the fourth National Conference of War Veterans.

Those martyrs, the DPRK leader said, "laid down their precious lives in the sacred war for the freedom and independence of the country and peace."

"I also offer my noble respects to the veterans of the Chinese People's Volunteers who fought shoulder to shoulder with our People's Army soldiers at the cost of their blood for the freedom and independence of the Korean people and peace in the East," he said.