Pyongyang, October 17 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea hosted a banquet at Pyongyang Koryo Hotel Monday in honor of the delegation of the Socialist Party of Benin on a visit to the DPRK.

Present there was the delegation of the party led by its President Ali Houdou.

Present there were Kim Yong Il, secretary of the WPK Central Committee, and other officials of the WPK Central Committee.

Kim Yong Il said the delegation's visit to the DPRK is an indication of the Socialist Party of Benin's friendship and solidarity with the WPK.

He appreciated the positive efforts made by the Socialist Party of Benin to defend the socialist idea and the rights and interests of the working masses.

Ali Houdou expressed thanks for the full support to the struggle of the people of Benin for building a new society given by the WPK and the Korean people.

He stressed that the people of Benin will always remember the cooperation in different fields including agriculture and public health from the Korean people.