Present there on invitation were the members of the corps.

Vice Marshal of the Korean People's Army Kim Yong Chun, minister of the People's Armed Forces, Pak Jae Gyong, its vice-minister, and general officers and other officers of the KPA were on hand.

Kim Yong Chun said at the reception that Kim Jong Il, supreme commander of the KPA, equipped himself with matchless grit, pluck and wisdom while growing up in the flames of the anti-Japanese war and the anti-U.S. sacred war and has performed immortal exploits for the country and the people, the times and humankind with his distinguished political caliber and outstanding leadership ability.

The Korean army and people will as ever adhere to the ideas of independence, peace and friendship and strengthen the relations of friendship and cooperation with armies and peoples of all countries friendly toward the DPRK, he declared.

Sun Yanfeng, military, naval and air attache of the Chinese embassy who is doyen of the corps, said in his speech that Kim Jong Il true to the behests of President Kim Il Sung has wisely led the Korean army and people to achieve signal successes in socialist construction.

He hoped that the heroic army and people of the DPRK rallied as one in mind around the Workers' Party of Korea headed by Kim Jong Il would make greater strides in building a thriving nation under the banner of Songun.

And he expressed belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the armies of the military attaches' countries and the KPA would further develop.