Present there were officials of the National Coordinating Committee of the DPRK for Drug Control, ministries and national institutions, officials concerned and members of the delegation of the International Narcotics Control Board.

The representative of the WHO here was present there on invitation.

Ri Pong Hun, vice-minister of Public Health, in his opening address said that illegal manufacture and traffic in narcotic drug and psychotropic substances cause serious problems in various countries as they spawn all kinds of crimes and seriously harm people's health.

The DPRK has intensified drug management and control in order to prevent drug-borne social danger in advance and provide people with an independent and creative life.

Koli Kouame, head of the delegation of the International Narcotics Control Board, speaking at the seminar said that the DPRK has achieved great successes in drug management and control.

Lectures were given under the theme of "1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs", "1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances" and "1988 UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances".

Other speakers called for intensifying drug management and control now that drug smuggling and abuses are not eliminated worldwide.

They stressed the need for the officials in the field of drug management and control to enhance their responsibility and role.