Present there on invitation were Ri Yong Ho, foreign minister; Han Man Hyok, vice department director of the C.C., Workers' Party of Korea; Army Col. General Kim Hyong Ryong, vice-minister of the People's Armed Forces; Ri Kwang Gun, vice-minister of External Economic Relations; So Ho Won, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and chairman of the DPRK-Russia Friendship Association; Mun Jae Chol, vice general director of the General Bureau for Affairs with Diplomatic Corps; and officials concerned.

Staff members of the Russian embassy were on hand.

Alexandr Matsegora said in his speech at the reception that important visits between the Russian Federation and the DPRK took place this year marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and this demonstrated the invariable will to strengthen the bilateral relations and cooperation in the international arena.

It is one of the most important policies of the Russian government to develop the friendly and cooperative relations with the DPRK, he noted.

Ri Yong Ho in his speech said that he is pleased to commemorate meaningfully the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the DPRK and the Russian Federation together with the Russian friends, and mentioned the immortal feats the great leaders performed for the development of the DPRK-Russia friendly relations.

He expressed the belief that the friendly and cooperative ties between the DPRK and Russia would comprehensively develop in all fields including politics, economy and culture with the 70-year history as a foundation.