North Korean media have announced that the North’s Supreme People’s Assembly posthumously awarded its highest state honor to the late Kim Jong-il on December 19th.

The North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) and the Korean Central Broadcasting Station on Friday belatedly reported that the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly awarded the title of “Hero of the DPRK.”

Kim received the same title in 1975 and 1982. Only Kim Jong-il and Kim Il-sung have each received the title three times.

The presidium said the title was awarded for Kim Jong-il’s everlasting achievements for the country and the people. It added that the late leader turned the North into an invincible military power with nuclear deterrence and opened an era for reunification.