The head of North Korea's parliament says the "military first" ideology is at the very heart of the Workers' Party's principle of "juche" or self-reliance.

Kim Young-nam on Sunday was quoted by the North's Korean Central News Agency as saying the consistent ideology has served as a lifeline of the party's foundation and activities throughout the North's long and sacred history.

Kim made the remarks in a declaration at an event marking the party's 60th anniversary, with supreme leader Kim Jong-il and high-ranking politicians and military officials in attendance.

The news agency, however, said no definitive conclusion was made on Kim Jong-il's successor.

The North last held a commemorative event for the party in 1998.