"It is thanks to our unity, which is stronger than the nuclear weapons, that we could become a strategic country under the banner of independence in today's world rampant with imperialists' tyranny," it said.

The newspaper also highlighted the late leader's contribution to North Korea's economic development, saying that a novel was recently published about Kim's efforts for the growth of the country's chemical industry.

In another article, the paper stressed the late leader's love of people and efforts to improve the livelihoods of North Koreans, carrying an anecdote of Kim signing an order to provide fish to citizens on the night of Dec. 16 before his death.

"Our late leader's entire life was dedicated to people," the newspaper said.

The South Korean government said no signs indicating the North's preparations for a major event have been detected so far.

The North usually marks an important national holiday with bigger events on every fifth or 10th anniversary.

"Our related department is keeping a watch on the North's media reports," unification ministry spokesperson Lee Sang-min said at a regular briefing.

Last year, Kim Jong-un visited the mausoleum of his late father in Pyongyang to commemorate the seventh anniversary of his death. (Yonhap)