The contest is now going on in real earnest with growing sports enthusiasm of participants.

Kim Ki Jong, vice-director of the Central Committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, told KCNA:

"Through the contest, its participants have fully displayed their skills and techniques trained in ordinary days.

Divided into four groups, they have competed in basketball and volleyball events on a knock-out basis.

The Ministry of Railways, the Minju Joson and the Foreign Trade Bank top the standings in basketball event.

Competitions in volleyball and Taekwon-Do events are under way at gymnasiums in Chongchun Street. The Ministry of Mining Industry and the Education Commission are expected to compete in the finals in the volleyball event.

The current sports contest drew more teams from ministries and national institutions than last year, with active participation of their leading officials."

Rim Chun Hak, an official of the Foreign Languages Publishing House, said:

"I took the individual pattern title in the Taekwon-Do event. I began to learn Taekwon-Do at the age of 15.

The contest made me feel again the advantage of the Korean traditional martial arts. Taekwon-Do is not simply a sports event. It is a pride of the Korean nation as it displays its wisdom.

I have taken part in the contest for consecutive years, and the Foreign Languages Publishing House took the titles in Taekwon-Do event several times.

I will make a contribution to honoring the fame of my institution through the contest."