Present there on invitation were Pak Ui Chun, minister of Foreign Affairs, Pak Kun Gwang, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Pak Jae Gyong, vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces, Pak Kil Yon, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Jon Yong Jin, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries who doubles as vice-chairman of the DPRK-Vietnam Friendship Association, officials concerned, diplomatic envoys of different countries and representatives of international organizations here.

The ambassador said in his speech that the Vietnamese party, government and people extend sincere thanks to the party, the government and people of the DPRK for supporting the Vietnamese people in their national liberation struggle and construction work.

He extended warm congratulations to the Korean people waging a dynamic drive to greet the 62nd anniversary of the foundation of the DPRK, the 65th anniversary of the founding of the WPK and the conference of the WPK with shining labor achievements.

Pak Ui Chun said in his speech that the historic Pyongyang meeting between General Secretary Kim Jong Il and General Secretary Nong Duc Manh in October 2007 marked a landmark event in developing the relations between the two countries on a new higher phase.

The DPRK government will always set store by the friendly and cooperative relations with Vietnam and make positive efforts to boost them in all fields of politics, economy and culture, he noted.