Pyongyang, September 21 (KCNA) -- Choummaly Sayasone, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and president of Laos, is due to arrive in Pyongyang Wednesday on his official goodwill visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea upon the invitation of Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK.

The Korean people warmly welcome Choummaly Sayasone coming to the DPRK carrying with him the friendly feelings of the Lao people, say leading newspapers here Wednesday in their editorials.

Rodong Sinmun says his visit to the DPRK provides a clear testimony to the firm faith and will of the parties and peoples of the DPRK and Laos to boost the friendly ties between the two countries.

It goes on:

The Lao president's visit to the DPRK marks an event of historic significance in developing on a new higher level the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the peoples of the two countries personally provided by President Kim Il Sung and Kaysone Phomvihane.

The Lao people have made great successes in their struggle for social stability and the development of economy and culture, united around the Lao People's Revolutionary Party led by Choummaly Sayasone, meeting all challenges and weathering difficulties.

Laos is boosting its ties with the Asian countries and developing the international relations, while consistently adhering to its external policy of peace, independence, friendship and cooperation based on the principle of respect for independence and sovereignty, non-interference in others' internal affairs and equality and reciprocity.

The Korean people have extended firm solidarity to the Lao people in their struggle for the country's independent development and socialism and heartily wished them fresh success in their future struggle.

While staying here the goodwill mission of the Lao people will be accorded cordial hospitality and warm welcome by the Korean people wherever it goes and deeply feel sincere fraternity and friendly feelings of the Korean people towards the Lao people.

Minju Joson notes the Korean people wholeheartedly hope that the goodwill mission of the Lao people would achieve success in its visit to the DPRK and spend pleasant and meaningful days.