Carved on the monument in Korean and Russian are the words "Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, visited Khabarovsk City on August 17, 2001."

A ceremony of unveiling the monument was held on Dec. 16.

It was attended by personages and people from all social strata in Khabarovsk Territory of Russia, and staff members of the DPRK consulate general in Nakhodka and officials of various units of the DPRK working in Khabarovsk City were present there on invitation.

Speeches were made at the ceremony.

The director for Protocol and International Relations of the Khabarovsk Territory Administration said that Kim Jong Il was a great man who performed great feats in the development of the Russia-DPRK friendly relations.

He continued:

Thanks to his feats, today the Russia-DPRK friendly relations are developing on good terms in various fields.

The monument is a manifestation of the profound respect of the citizens of the City for him and will remain an eternal symbol of Russia-DPRK friendship.

The deputy minister of Culture of the Khabarovsk Territory Administration congratulated the participants in the ceremony on the erection of the monument and its successful unveiling.

He said:

Under the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il the culture and art of the DPRK have reached a very high level, by which we are deeply moved.

He will always be remembered by not only the Korean people but also the people of Russia along with the monument.

The first deputy chairman of the Khabarovsk Territorial Legislative Assembly who is also secretary of Khabarovsk Regional Political Council of the United Russia Party expressed the belief that the bilateral friendly and cooperative ties would grow stronger in all fields.

At the end of the ceremony floral baskets, bouquets and flowers were placed before the monument.