He acknowledged their enthusiastic cheers and extended a warm salute to them.

He noted that the performances given by them strikingly demonstrated the validity and vitality of the WPK's policy on culture and arts for popularizing the arts and the admirable picture of new culture created in the era of Songun.

Highly appreciating their participation in the contests with exceptionally great enthusiasm and dynamic performances given by them before party members, servicepersons and working people, thus making a great contribution to making revolutionary spirit prevail throughout the society, he had a photograph taken with them.

He expressed great expectation and belief that art group members and families of all other servicepersons would as ever give fuller play to ardent patriotism and the revolutionary soldier spirit and thus safeguard the defence lines of the socialist country as firm as an iron wall, standing alongside their husbands in the same trench.

Also present there were KPA Vice Marshal Kim Yong Chun, vice-chairman of the NDC of the DPRK and minister of the People's Armed Forces, KPA General Kim Jong Gak, member of the NDC of the DPRK and first deputy director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA, KPA General Ri Yong Ho, chief of the General Staff of the KPA, KPA General U Tong Chuk, member of the NDC of the DPRK, Ju Sang Song, member of the NDC of the DPRK and minister of People's Security, and other commanding officers of the KPA and armed forces organs.