Kazbek Taysaev, secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and first secretary of the Committee of the North Osetiya Republic, said this when interviewed by Pravda recently. He participated in the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the victory in the Fatherland Liberation War.

He went on:

I was particularly impressed to visit President Kim Il Sung's birthplace in Mangyongdae. His family was so poor that it could not manage to buy even a water jar to speak of.

His grandmother used a misshapen jar for keeping water.

He turned the country whose people were seized with grief over being a stateless nation into a genuine people's country.

I was greatly impressed to meet members of the Children's Union cheerfully walking streets in red neckerchief and seemembers of the youth shock brigade participating in the evening gala of youth and students.

I have watched many military parades so far but the DPRK's war victory military parade was most impressive.

The Korean people fully demonstrated their successes in various fields including military capability, science, art and education through the military parade and mass demonstration.

Genuine patriotism is fully displayed in military affairs and various fabrics of social life in the DPRK.

What I would like to stress is that the war veterans, in particular, are respected and treated preferentially in the DPRK.

The war veterans in the 1950s participated in the celebrations wearing military uniforms in those days and passed the square in vehicles.

During an event I had a chance of seeing Kim Jong Un, leader of the DPRK, very near from me and found him very kind-hearted and benign.

What is happening in the DPRK is quite different from what the Western media claim.

What impressed me more deeply while staying in the DPRK was the grand gymnastic and artistic performance "Arirang."

I was struck with admiration at the scope, idea, organizing ability and performers' skills involved in "Arirang" extravaganza presented by tens of thousands of people.

The account of the interview was given in Pravda No. 85 under the title "Country which has tremendous potential and which achieved the people's unity".