Kim Jong-il named North Korea's generalissimo

The ruling Workers' Party Central Committee and Central Military Committee, the National Defence Commission and the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly issued the relevant decree on Tuesday.

Kim Jong-il had taken steps "to strengthen the Korean People's Army founded by Generalissimo Kim Il-sung, he honourably defended the socialist state and made immortal contribution to global peace and stability," the news agency reported with reference to the decree.

He also turned North Korea into a military power and "led the stand-off with imperialism and the US to victory".

Kim Jong-il died suddenly of a heart attack in December and was succeeded by his youngest son Kim Jong-un.

On Thursday North Korea will mark the late leader's birthday as the Day of the Shining Star, Kazinform has learned from Itar-Tass.