N.K. says children received presents ahead of leader`s birthday

SEOUL, Feb. 13 (Yonhap) -- North Korea passed out presents to children nationwide
in celebration of the 68th birthday of leader Kim Jong-il early next week, state
media reported Saturday.
Kim's birthday, which falls on Tuesday, is one of the nation's most festive
holidays, along with the April 15 birthday of his late father and state founder
Kim Il-sung. Pyongyang usually distributes sweets such as cookies and candies to
children attending middle schools or younger around the two days.
"All children across the country received a present of love on the occasion of
the February holiday," the North's official Korean Central News Agency said,
referring to the leader's birthday. "It became a tradition for the DPRK to give
presents to children around the birthdays of President Kim Il-sung and General
Kim Jong-il," the report said. DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic
of Korea, the official name of North Korea.
Children living in remote mountain or island villages also received gifts "under
the careful care of the General who always does everything he can do not to make
a shade in the hearts of a few children," the KCNA said.
sshim@yna.co.kr
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