Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), on Tuesday laid a wreath at the tombs of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs in Hoechang County in South Phyongan Province, the official new agency KCNA reported.

Photo released by Korean Central News Agency on Oct. 26, 2010 shows Kim Jong Il (C front), top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), attending a memorial ceremony at the tombs of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs where thousands of Chinese soldiers, including late Chairman Mao Zedong's eldest son Mao Anying, were buried, in Hoechang County in South Phyongan Province as the DPRK and China marked the 60th anniversary of the entry of the CPV onto the Korean front.[Xinhua]

Kim, general secretary of Worker's Party of Korea (WPK), attended the memorial ceremony as the DPRK and China marked the 60th anniversary of the entry of the CPV onto the Korean front.

During the event, Kim was accompanied by a number of DPRK party and military leaders, including Ri Yong Ho, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the WPK and chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army (KPA), Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the WPK Central Military Commission, and Kim Yong Chun, vice-chairman of the National Defence Commission.

The DPRK would not forget the heroic feats performed by the fallen fighters of the CPV in their courageous battles, Kim was quoted by the KCNA as saying at the ceremony.

The CPV fought alongside the KPA in a tough war and achieved a glorious victory, making a great contribution to the peace of Asia and the world, and many CPV martyrs devoted their precious lives here, Kim said.

The DPRK-China friendship should be handed on through generations, the DPRK leader said.