Pyongyang, August 25 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il arrived at Ulan-Ude, the capital city of the Republic of Buryatia of the Russian Federation Friday.

Ulan-Ude is the historic place visited by President Kim Il Sung during his historic tours of the former Soviet Union and Mongolia in May Juche 73(1984) and in June Juche 77(1988).

Kim Jong Il on an unofficial visit to Siberia and the Far East Region of the Russian Federation visited this place, deepening the DPRK-Russia friendship.

He was accorded warm welcome by citizens in national costumes. He was offered bread, salt, blue kerchief, milk and bouquet according to the customs of various nationalities in the region.

He exchanged warm greetings and had conversations with leading officials of the Republic of Buryatia including the president of the Republic and the chairman of the People's Khural.

The president said it is a great honor of the people in the region including the Republic of Buryatia to receive respected Comrade Kim Jong Il. He paid high tribute to Kim Jong Il who came all the way to visit Siberia to boost the traditional Russia-DPRK friendship.

Touring various places of the region, Kim Jong Il got familiar with the customs and life of various nationalities in Siberia. He received warm congratulations and welcome whenever he went.

Ulan-Ude is the capital city of the Republic of Buryatia in Siberia of the Russian Federation.

Ulan-Ude with a population of hundreds of thousands, has industrial establishments and institutes. It is playing an important role in developing politics, economy, culture and military capability of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Buryatia at present.

Ulan-Ude frequently hosts international and regional conferences and sports meets and May Day celebrations, etc. to strengthen the friendship and solidarity with people of different countries.

Various events including Korean book, photo and handicraft exhibitions and meetings took place in different places of the city including the Art Gallery named by Sampilov on such significant occasions of the DPRK as the Day of the Sun and February 16.

Ulan-Ude will always be remembered by the peoples of the two countries along with the history of the DPRK-Russia friendship as it is marked with the giant footprints of the peerlessly great men.