Present there on invitation were Aleksei Borodavkin, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, deputies to the State Duma, members of the Federation Council and officials of the "United Russia" Party and other officials of the government, political parties, organizations and organs of Russia.

Kim Yong Jae, DPRK ambassador to Russia, and staff members of his embassy in Moscow were on hand.

The participants laid a floral basket and bouquets before the full-length painting of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and paid tribute to them before going round photos on display.

Speeches were made at the reception.

The ambassador said that the birth of Kim Jong Il was a historic event which carved out the destiny of the country and the nation and guaranteed a bright future of the revolutionary cause of Juche.

He recalled that Kim Jong Il has led the revolution and construction to victory for a long period.

Expressing the hope that tangible achievements would be made in the development of the DPRK-Russia relations this year, he expressed the expectation that the Russian people would register greater successes in the work to increase the defense capability and achieve the country's economic development and social stability.

Borodavkin said that the agreement reached between the top leaders of Russia and the DPRK is in line with the interests of the two peoples and contributes to ensuring peace and security in Northeast Asia.

He hoped that the DPRK would achieve successes in the efforts to improve the people's standard of living and in all fields of the socio-economic development, wishing the Korean people prosperity and wellbeing under the leadership of Kim Jong Il.

A similar reception was given at the DPRK consulate general in Nakhodka on Feb. 1.