The festival is held divided into group demonstration, pair figure skating, ice dancing, men's and women's individual and other events.

Ri Chol Un, secretary of the Figure Skating Association of the DPRK, told KCNA:

The current festival was prepared on a high level in reflection of the Korean people's will to hold leader Kim Jong Il in high esteem as the eternal sun.

Kim Jong Il watched a demonstration performance given by local figure skaters at this rink in the last month of his life, showing loving care for them.

All the coaches and figure skaters had worked hard to prepare themselves for the festival, prompted by ardent yearning for him.

Taking part in the festival are figure skaters from the DPRK, Russia, Estonia, Ukraine and Canada, among them a three-time world champion from Canada.

This annual festival will run until February 17.