PYONGYANG - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will grant amnesty to convicts as from Feb 1 to mark the birth anniversaries of former leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, the official news agency KCNA reported on Tuesday.

The Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK issued a decree on Thursday concerning the amnesty, said KCNA.

This year marks the centenary of Kim Il-sung's birth and the 70th anniversary of Kim Jong-il's birth.