Pyongyang, October 20 (KCNA) -- General Secretary Kim Jong Il received Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of Amur Region of the Russian Federation, and his party on a visit to the DPRK on Thursday.

Present there were Kang Sok Ju, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK and vice-premier of the Cabinet, Jang Song Thaek, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the C.C., the WPK and vice-chairman of the NDC, Thae Jong Su, alternate member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the C.C., the WPK, and Ri Yong Chol, vice department director of the C.C., the WPK.

Oleg Kozhemyako presented a gift to Kim Jong Il.

Kim Jong Il expressed thanks for this and warmly welcomed his visit to the DPRK and had a talk with him in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Oleg Kozhemyako expressed his sincerest thanks to Kim Jong Il for kindly inviting him, according him cordial hospitality and sparing his precious time to receive him, though he was very busy guiding the building of a thriving nation.

He said it was great honor for the Amur Region that Kim Jong Il visited it during his Russia visit in August and it gave unforgettable impressions to the hearts of the people in the region.

While visiting the DPRK, I could witness the fact that all the efforts being made in the DPRK under the guidance of the WPK led by Kim Jong Il are oriented to further improving the standard of the people's living, the governor said, adding that he was impressed to tour different parts of the DPRK including the construction site of the Huichon Power Station and the large-scale Taedonggang Combined Fruit Farm.

Noting it was of great significance that the top leaders of Russia and the DPRK promised each other to boost cooperation between the two countries and regions, he went on:

The Amur Region will take the lead in materializing the spirit of this agreement and prove itself to be an example in promoting the Russia-DPRK friendship and cooperation.

Kim Jong Il recollected his visit to the Bureya Power Station in the Amur Region with deep emotion and once again expressed thanks for the sincere and cordial hospitality accorded to him by officials and people of the region and asked the governor to convey his warm regards to the people of the Amur Region and all the people of Russia.

After receiving the guests, Kim Jong Il hosted a dinner for them.

Present there on invitation were the governor and his party and Valery Sukhinin, Russian ambassador to the DPRK.

Present there were Kang Sok Ju, Jang Song Thaek, Thae Jong Su and Ri Yong Chol.

The dinner proceeded in a warm atmosphere overflowing with friendship.