On display at the exhibition under the theme "True Picture of Korea" are photos of undying revolutionary exploits President Kim Il Sung, general secretary Kim Jong Il and the dear respected Kim Jong Un performed for the building of a thriving nation, people's happiness, independent and peaceful reunification of Korea and global independence. Photos also deal with their revolutionary activities and great personalities.

Among them are photos of the might of a harmonious whole of the leader and people, achievements made by the DPRK in different fields including politics, economy and culture under the leadership of the Party and the leader and happy life of the Korean people.

Present at the opening ceremony were the KCNA delegation led by First Vice-Director General Kim Chang Gwang and officials of the AP including Senior Vice President Kathleen Carroll and Vice President John Daniszewski, personages of various social standings of the U.S. and those concerned of the museum, New York citizens and members of the DPRK mission at the UN in New York.

Donald Rubin, president of the Rubin Foundation, made a congratulatory speech at the ceremony. He welcomed the successful opening of the joint photo exhibition.

Expressing hope that the exhibition would be the first step towards cultural and political reconciliation, he prayed for the reconciliation between the two governments of the DPRK and the U.S.

Then Kathleen Carroll said in a speech that April 15 marking the centenary of birth of President Kim Il Sung, founder of the DPRK, is the greatest holiday for the Korean nation. He said he was pleased to open the joint photo exhibition with the approach of the holiday.

He added that the AP would report worldwide fresh news of what is taking place in the DPRK.

Kim Chang Gwang warmly hailed the opening of the joint photo exhibition in New York on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung, the significant Day of the Sun.

He hoped that the exhibition would provide a visual introduction of important events in the DPRK, news of building a thriving nation as well as culture and history of Korea and thus make contributions to promoting mutual understanding between the peoples of the DPRK and the U.S. and improving the bilateral relations.

The participants looked round the photos on display. They compared the different styles of photography of the KCNA and the AP and had new visual understanding of the DPRK.

In the evening a reception was given on the opening of the exhibition.

The joint photo exhibition which opened under a MoU signed between the two news agencies in June last year will remain open till April 13.