The championships are to be held at stadiums and gymnasiums in Pyongyang and Phyongsong, Sariwon and other local areas. The players will compete in more than 470 categories of 37 events including football, basketball, volleyball, judo, boxing, track and field and figure skating.

Present at the opening ceremony were Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., Workers' Party of Korea, vice-chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and vice-chairman of the C.C., WPK who is chairman of the National Sports Guidance Committee, Vice-Premier Jon Kwang Ho, officials concerned, sportspersons and working citizens.

Minister of Physical Culture and Sports Kim Il Guk said in the opening address that the championships would mark a significant occasion in glorifying the undying feats of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il for the development of the country's sports and displaying the unwavering faith and will of the Korean people and sportspersons to build a highly civilized socialist nation under the guidance of respected Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un despite the U.S. imperialists and their vassal forces' unprecedented obstructive moves.