PYONGYANG. September 10. KAZINFORM The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday celebrated the 62nd anniversary of its founding as the world's attention continues to focus on a major conference of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), the first of its kind in 44 years; Kazinform refers to Xinhua.

State broadcasters were airing patriotic songs throughout the day while the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper ran an editorial urging the country's civilians and servicemen to stand closely united around the WPK, which is led by top leader Kim Jong-il. A state banquet will be held at People's Palace of Culture on the night to mark the special occasion.

In the streets of Pyongyang, national flags were flying high. There was less traffic than usual, and many DPRK citizens chose to spend the holiday at home.

People from all walks of life paid tribute to late DPRK founder Kim Il-sung as they placed baskets of flowers at the feet of his bronze statue in the capital city.

The founding of the DPRK was a brilliant victory of the late leader's Juche-oriented ideals, Choe Yong-rim, premier of the Cabinet of the DPRK, told a national meeting on Wednesday to commemorate the anniversary.

Participants of the meeting included senior DPRK party, military and state officials, deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly, and delegates from all sectors of society as well as foreign diplomats, according to the official KCNA news agency.

Accelerating economic development to improve people's living standards was of utmost importance, said the premier.

Choe said the DPRK would like to improve its relations with the Republic of Korea (ROK) under the "June 15 Joint Declaration", adding that Pyongyang would beat back the ROK and the United States with all its power - "including a nuclear deterrent" - if they sought to ignite a war on the peninsula.

He added that the two recent visits by Kim Jong-il to China contributed greatly to the peace and stability in northeast Asia and the world.

Kim visited China from Aug 26 to 30. He also paid an unofficial visit to China in May.

The DPRK top leader said in his latest visit to China that he hoped for an early resumption of the Six-Party Talks to ease tension on the Korean Peninsula.

The international media continues to speculate about the ruling party conference. But there has been no official announcement on the exact date and venue of the meeting as of Thursday, since the Politburo of the party's Central Committee announced on June 23 that such a meeting would be held in early September.

The Rodong Sinmun said on Monday that the delegates were still coming from all parts of the country to Pyongyang for the conference, during which policy and personnel changes of the party will be decided; Kazinform cites Xinhua.