North Korea celebrated the 66th birthday of its leader Kim Jong Il as the regime called on the population to unite behind him. Kim received congratulatory messages from leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, the state-run Korea Central News Agency reported today. The nation's main Rodong Sinmun newspaper ran an editorial praising Kim for expanding North Korea's military. ``Our dear leader went through agony and difficult times on the road to the nation's prosperity,'' KCNA cited the newspaper as saying in the editorial. ``Let's fight harder to safeguard the revolutionary leadership led by the respected comrade Kim Jong Il with our lives.''
Kim, known for his bouffant hairdo and zip-front olive- green jackets, has led the nation of 23 million people since his father Kim Il Sung died in 1994. The little that is known of Kim outside of North Korea tends to come through the filter of the state-run media. Rallies, gala events and flower shows were held across the country to celebrate his birthday, KCNA said.
Synchronized swimmers saluted Kim with performances titled ``Our General is Best'' and ``Veneration for General,'' the official agency said.