Present there on invitation were Pak Ui Chun, minister of Foreign Affairs, Sim Yong Sop, vice-minister of Railways, Hong Son Ok, vice-chairwoman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries who doubles as chairwoman of the DPRK-Russia Friendship Association, Mun Song Mo, director of the Bureau of Diplomatic Corps Affairs, and officials concerned and diplomatic envoys of different countries, military attaches of foreign embassies and representatives of international organizations here.

Staff members of the Russian embassy were on hand.

Valery Sukhinin said at the reception that steadfast is the policy of Russia to understand and cooperate with each other on the basis of the treaty of friendship, good-neighborliness and cooperation between the Russian Federation and the DPRK.

He wished the friendly Korean people new success in the drive to build a great prosperous and powerful nation under the leadership of Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission Kim Jong Il as well as peace and happiness.

Pak Ui Chun in his speech said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the historic joint documents between the DPRK and Russia, adding that it is the desire of the peoples of the two countries to develop the bilateral relations in the spirit of the said documents.

He declared that the DPRK would strengthen mutual exchange and cooperation between the two countries in different fields including politics, economy and culture.

The Russian consulate general in Chongjin, too, arranged a similar reception on Thursday.