On the occasion of the 78th founding anniversary of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, our country's embassy in Russia gave a banquet on the 9th.

Invited to the banquet were Comrade Ivan Melnikov, First Vice-Chairman of the State Duma of Russia, and personages from the parliament, government and organizations including the Russian Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology, Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as diplomatic representatives of various countries in this country.

Comrade Sin Hong Chol, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of our country to Russia, and members of the embassy took part.

Speeches were delivered at the banquet.

Our Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary said that the state-building exploits of the Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung are shining through the centuries under the leadership of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, and mentioned that the respected General Secretary values the people most highly and gives high credit to their patriotic enthusiasm.

The First Vice-Chairman of the State Duma of Russia noted that from the very early period of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the relations between the two countries developed on the solid foundation of friendship, good-neighbourliness and mutual benefit, and pointed out that the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed by President Putin and Comrade Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs, has opened a new chapter in bilateral relations.

The Deputy Minister of Defence noted that our Republic has forcefully walked the path of independent development with great development potential, and that bilateral relations are developing further thanks to the deep trust and friendly relations between the top leaders of the two countries, and affirmed that the comprehensive strategic partnership between the DPRK and Russia conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries and will contribute to safeguarding regional and international security.

The Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade stressed that the relations between the two countries are traditional and firm friendly relations that have continued since the period of the Great Fatherland Liberation War.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of the 78th founding anniversary of the Republic, our country's missions in Vladivostok and Khabarovsk Region of Russia also gave banquets on the 3rd and 8th.