Present there on invitation were Ro Tu Chol, vice-premier, Pak Chun Nam, minister of Culture, Ri Yong Chol, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kung Sok Ung, vice-foreign minister, Ri Kwang Gun, vice-minister of External Economic Relations, Hong So Hon, president of Kim Chaek University of Technology who doubles as chairman of the DPRK-Russia Friendship Parliamentary Group, officials concerned, foreign diplomatic envoys and representatives of international organizations here and military attaches of foreign embassies here.

Alexandr Matsegora said in his speech that Russia has the willingness to boost traditional and friendly relations with the DPRK.

An opening ceremony of the year of the Russia-DPRK friendship took place in Moscow in April this year with splendor, he noted, referring to the cooperative relations between the two countries which are developing onto a higher stage.

He wished the friendly Korean people new successes in building a thriving nation under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK.

Ro Tu Chol referred to the achievements made by the Russian people in their work for regaining the mightiness and dignity of the country despite the sudden changes in the domestic politics, economic life and international relations.

He went on:

The bilateral relations have unprecedentedly made dynamic progress as evidenced by the exchange of high-level visits and undertaking of profitable and mutually beneficial cooperation projects in various fields between the two countries this year, the year of DPRK-Russia friendship.

Recalling that Marshal Kim Jong Un is paying deep attention to developing the relations with Russia, true to the intention of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il, Ro added that it is the consistent stand of the DPRK government to boost the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Russia.

On the same day the Russian consulate general in Chongjin gave a reception.