Present there on invitation were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Kim Yong Il, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Pak Ui Chun, minister of Foreign Affairs, Kim Sung Du, chairman of the Education Commission who doubles as chairman of the Korean Committee for Solidarity with Cuba, and other officials and diplomatic envoys and military attaches of foreign embassies and representatives of international bodies here.

Present there were staff members of the Cuban embassy.

The Cuban ambassador said in his speech that the Cuban people achieved the country's independence through a hard-fought struggle against imperialists on January 1, 1959.

He referred to the great achievements made by the Cuban people in different fields despite the imperialists' blockade.

The Cuban people are proud of having particular friendly ties with the heroic Korean people led by Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un, the ambassador said, reiterating the will to boost the friendly relations with the DPRK.

Yang Hyong Sop said in his speech that the Cuban people have advanced the socialist cause under the correct leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba.

Yang wished the fraternal Cuban people greater success in their work to implement the decision made at the 6th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba.

He said it is the invariable stand of the DPRK government to boost the friendly and cooperative relations with Cuba, adding the Korean people will stand by the Cuban people in the joint struggle for accomplishing the cause of socialism against imperialism.