The speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly of Indonesia said this when the DPRK ambassador to Indonesia paid a courtesy call on him on Jan. 11.

The speaker spoke with high appreciation that the army and people of the DPRK have firmly defended the independence and sovereignty of the country despite the sanctions and pressure imposed by the U.S.

He went on:

During my visit to the DPRK in the past, I came to admire the independent spirit and patriotic devotion of the Korean people and know that the free education system and free medical care in force in the DPRK are the people-oriented policies praiseworthy before the world. I also witnessed the economic potentials such as developed machine-building industry of the DPRK.

The DPRK will successfully push ahead with the building of an economic power including light industry and agriculture.

The friendly relations between Indonesia and the DPRK are the traditional ones personally provided by President Sukarno and President Kim Il Sung. Former President Megawati Soekarnoputri paid several visits to the DPRK to make positive efforts to boost the relations.

The Indonesian government and people hope that the friendly relations between the two countries will further develop in various fields.