Invited to the reception were Kang Sok Ju, secretary of the C.C., the Workers' Party of Korea, Kim Jong Suk, chairwoman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, Pak Kun Gwang, vice department director of the C.C., WPK, Sin Hong Chol, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, and other officials concerned.

The Cuban ambassador said in a speech:

The Cuban people will always remember the exploits Kim Jong Il performed by boosting the friendly relations between the two parties, governments and peoples provided by Comrade Kim Il Sung together with Comrade Fidel Castro.

The revolutionary cause of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il is being reliably carried forward by Marshal Kim Jong Un who is successfully leading the Korean revolution.

We look with admiration at the achievements made by the DPRK.

Kang Sok Ju noted that Kim Jong Il led to victory the struggle of the servicepersons and people to build a thriving socialist nation and reunify the country with his gifted ideological and theoretical activities and tireless Songun revolutionary leadership.

He went on:

The Korean people will as ever make every possible effort to boost the traditional friendship and cooperation with the Cuban people true to the noble intention of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

We will send positive support and solidarity to the just struggle of the fraternal Cuban people to defend the socialist gains.