Present there on invitation were Kim Yong Il, alternate member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK, and Vice Department Director Pak Kun Gwang and other officials of the Department of the International Affairs of the C.C., the WPK.

The ambassador said in his speech that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries are growing stronger under the deep care of Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and the dear respected Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea.

He noted that the party, government and people of Vietnam would make efforts in the future, too to further develop the friendly and cooperative ties with the party, government and people of the DPRK.

He expressed support for the people of the DPRK in their efforts to build a thriving nation and independently and peacefully reunify the country.

Kim Yong Il said in his speech that the bilateral friendly and cooperative relations of long history and tradition are based on the special comradely bonds and obligation provided by President Kim Il Sung and the respected Comrade Ho Chi Minh.

He said that the meeting between General Secretary Kim Jong Il and respected Nong Duc Manh in October 2007 marked a historic event which put the friendly and cooperative relations between the two parties and two countries on a new higher level.

He wished the fraternal Vietnamese people greater success in the efforts to implement the decision of the 11th party congress under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam.