Pyongyang, March 9 (KCNA) -- Women across the DPRK commemorated the 116th March 8 International Women's Day.

Many people visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the sacred temple of Juche, where President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il lie in state.

At the plaza of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the visitors recollected with deep emotion the immortal exploits of the great leaders who provided the precious tradition of the Juche-oriented women's movement and put forward women as the ones pushing one of the two wheels of the revolutionary chariot.

Many working people visited the statues of the great leaders on Mansu Hill and in other parts of the country to lay flower baskets, bouquets and flowers and made a bow before them.

Officials of all provinces, cities, counties, institutions, industrial establishments, farms and universities met and congratulated exemplary women workers and innovators. Meetings with the winners of the Communist Mother Honor Prize and story-telling meetings were held alongside other political and cultural events.

Colorful congratulatory performances were given in Pyongyang and local areas.

The public catering establishments, Central Zoo, Natural History Museum, Munsu Water Park and other leisure facilities in Pyongyang and other parts of the country were crowded with the people enjoying the holiday.

Souvenir shops, flower shops and flower stands were full of visitors selecting bouquets and flowers for women. -0-