Present there on invitation were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Kim Yong Jin, minister of Education, Kim Thae Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kim Yong Il, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, Paek Yong Ho, vice-chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, and officials concerned.

Staff members of the Indian embassy were on hand.

Zile Singh in his speech at the reception said that India and the DPRK briskly conducted exchange of visits in various fields, adding that the two countries have closely supported each other in international arenas.

The Indian government hopes that the DPRK would become a stronger and more prosperous country in 2012 and wishes peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, he noted.

Yang Hyong Sop stated in his speech that the birth of Kim Jong Il as the bright star of Mt. Paektu was a great auspicious event of the nation that promised the brilliant future of the revolutionary cause of Juche.

Hoping that the Indian people would achieve greater success in their work for the independent development and prosperity of the country, he said that the DPRK would strive to develop the friendly and cooperative relations with India in various fields.