SEOUL: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea celebrated leader Kim Jong-il's birthday yesterday with synchronized swimmers glorifying the "kind-hearted father" of the nation while it made overtures for dialog with the United States.

Kim, 68, is facing pressure to return to disarmament-for-aid nuclear talks due to UN sanctions and a currency revaluation that nearly halted commerce late last year and worsened the state's economic woes.

Kim was hailed as "the peerlessly brilliant commander of the present era" who made it "the greatest fortune and privilege ... to hold (him) in high esteem."