Through the performance the artistes of the Phibada Opera Troupe fully demonstrated the great vitality of the revolutionary opera in the DPRK which has made a great contribution to carving out the destiny of the human beings working for independence and to the revolutionary struggle of the popular masses.

Kim Jong Il highly appreciated the successful performance, expressing great satisfaction over the fact that the artistes of the troupe truthfully represented the opera as required by its original work devoting all their wisdom and enthusiasm with the same spirit and stamina as they displayed in the days when they brought about a radical turn in operas.

The new Korean-style operas created in those days are evoking a lively response not only among the Korean people but among the people of many countries for their rich ideological contents and high artistry, he said, adding that it is the great pride of the DPRK to have such ideological, moral, literary and artistic treasure as the "Phibada"-style revolutionary operas.

He noted that the revolutionary operas of the DPRK including "The Sea of Blood", "The Flower Girl" and "The Story of a Nurse" which have lasting vitality serve as excellent textbooks for class education as they are helpful to the revolutionary education of the younger generation. He underscored the need to intensify the performing activities to let an increasing number of working people, servicepersons and school youth and children watch the operas.

He set forth tasks to be fulfilled to create art works and conduct performing activities.

He said that the Korean working class has fully demonstrated their might as ranks of loyalists remaining true to the idea and leadership of the Party and the leader and a revolutionary contingent firmly adhering to the socialist principle from the steadfast anti-imperialist and independent stand through a protracted arduous struggle, stressing that the DPRK is sure to emerge a victor in the drive for building a thriving nation as the large contingent of such reliable working class is dynamically pushing ahead with the building of an economic power.

Among the audience were Kim Yong Chun, minister of the People's Armed Forces, Choe Thae Bok, Kim Jung Rin and Kim Ki Nam, secretaries of the WPK Central Committee, Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Choe Yong Rim, secretary general of the Presidium of the SPA, Kang Nung Su, minister of Culture, Kang Sok Ju, first vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, leading officials of the WPK Central Committee, KPA Generals Kim Myong Guk, Hyon Chol Hae, Ri Myong Su and Kim Won Hong and other commanding officers of the army.