North Korea this year has held more events overseas to mark the 64th birthday of its supreme leader Kim Jong-il.

The Unification Ministry said Saturday that the event was celebrated in 44 countries, up from 39 last year.

The North on Thursday marked Kim's birthday, one of its biggest holidays of the year, with a number of events involving sports, arts and the mass mobilization of soldiers and civilians for a gathering.

A ministry official said the holiday is apparently intended to shore up solidarity and allegiance among North Koreans despite their economic hardship.

The festivities are expected to continue until the birthday of Kim's late father and predecessor, Il-sung, on April 15th.