Pyongyang, February 18 (KCNA) -- There was a significant ceremony ahead of the opening of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea which all the Party members have cherished in their hearts as a landmark of new victory and glory for the past five years of the heroic struggle for the steady advance of the Juche revolution and the prosperity of the country.

A ceremony of awarding the certificate of delegate to the Ninth WPK Congress was held at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on February 17.

The ceremony declared that President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il, pioneers of the sacred cause of Juche and eternal leaders of the WPK and the people, are held in high esteem as delegates to the Ninth Party Congress, according to the general will of all the Party organizations and Party members.

All the participants applauded with boundless reverence for the President and the Chairman who are always together with them in struggle and life and inspire them with brilliant victory and glory.

Speeches were made by leading officials of the Party and government.

They said that the Ninth Party Congress serves as an important occasion for the development of the WPK and the revolution as it will set new goals and guidelines for struggle to carry forward the trend of the times of steady creation and change on the basis of the proud successes made in ushering in a great pioneering period of the overall development of the state by dint of self-respect and self-reliance.

They mentioned that the WPK is the most militant and seasoned revolutionary Party advancing and winning victory thanks to the idea and leadership of the great Comrade Kim Jong Un, and herein lies the invincibility, absolute dignity and prestige of the WPK taking care of their destiny and future and leading the country and the people to prosperity and happiness.

They stressed that it is a great pride of the delegates to take part in the congress with a voucher of glory that hardens the will to be faithful to the sacred mission of the WPK to the last.

The certificate was awarded to delegates to the Ninth Party Congress.

All the delegates made a firm determination to contribute to making the Ninth Party Congress a historic turning point leading Korean-style socialism to a higher stage of overall development by taking an active part in the congress with a high political awareness and sense of responsibility. -0-