Kim Jong-un extends respect to Chinese volunteer army

Photo provided by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on July 26, 2015 shows the 4th National Conference of War Veterans being held in Pyongyang on July 25, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua/KCNA]

The conference, held in Pyongyang, took place two days ahead of the 62nd anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement, which ended the three-year-long Korean War in the 1950s.

"I extend warm congratulations to you on greeting July 27, the eternal v-day for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," Kim said at the start of his speech.

Also in his address, Kim reviewed the DPRK's "glorious tradition of victory" and lauded the outstanding contribution of late leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il as well as the heroic spirit of the DPRK military and people.

Tens of thousands of CPVA soldiers died on the Korean battlefield in what is known to the Chinese as the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, and their sacrifices significantly consolidated the profound traditional bond between the two countries.

The previous veterans conferences were held in 1993, 2012 and 2013.