Kim Il Sung Square was crowded with employees of ministries and national institutions firmly determined to step up the New Year advance in hearty response to Marshal Kim Jong Un's New Year Address.

Hyon Sang Ju, chairman of the Central Committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea, made a speech prior to the start of the race.

Then they, divided into two groups, ran along streets.

Officials of ministries and national institutions including the State Science and Technology Commission, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Construction and Building-Materials Industry ran, shouting slogans "human bombs", "devoted defence" and so on, encouraged by loudspeaker vans' agitation and the songs played by them.

Then followed demonstrations of mass rhythmic exercise and Taekwon-do exercise for health.

Group race, mass rhythmic exercise and Taekwon-do exercise for health took place by youths and students at the plaza of Pyongyang Indoor Stadium on the same day.

Such diverse sports events as volleyball and table tennis contests took place at industrial establishments and other units in the city of Pyongyang including the Pyongyang Thermal Power Complex and Pyongyang Essential Foodstuff Factory.

Similar group races took place in every province, city and county.