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 C.C., the Workers' Party of Korea, Ri Ryong Nam, minister of Foreign Trade, Choe Chang Sik, minister of Public Health, and others.

A staff member of the Syrian embassy attended it.

Haissam Saad in his speech at the reception said that under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il the DPRK has made a lot of achievements in various fields by foiling the obstructive moves of the hostile forces. The DPRK has conquered space and had an access to nuclear deterrence, he noted.

The Korean people are making great progress in their efforts to realize the idea and wish of great President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, true to the leadership of the dear respected Kim Jong Un, he added.

He expressed belief that the friendly relations between the two countries would grow stronger under the deep care of Kim Jong Un and Bashar Al-Assad.

Yang Hyong Sop in his speech said Kim Jong Il made undying contributions to the prosperity of the country and the cause of global independence under the banner of Songun.

Final victory is in store for the DPRK as there is the wise guidance of Kim Jong Un, who is glorifying the revolutionary career and feats of Kim Jong Il, he noted.

It is the consistent stand of the DPRK government to value and boost the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation with Syria, he stressed.