Attending it were officials of the Education Commission and other institutions concerned, kindergarten children and teachers, schoolchildren and teachers at primary and secondary schools and members of the Pyongyang missions of the UNICEF and the European Union Programme Support.

Speeches were made at the event by Song Yong Su, a department director of the Ministry of Urban Management, and Desiree Jongsma, representative of the UNICEF office in Pyongyang.

Noting that millions of children worldwide suffer from diarrhea and pneumonia each year, the speakers underscored the need to make handwashing with soap a part of daily life at kindergartens, schools and families.

A lecture on the subject of "On the Global Handwashing Day" was given at the event, followed by experience-sharing discussions and handwashing activities among preschoolers and schoolchildren.

The participants watched a Korean children film calling for observing rules of health and then went round photos introducing the correct way of handwashing with soap.

Ri Jong Chol, a section chief of the Grand People's Study House, told KCNA:

"The Global Handwashing Day has been observed in the country since 2008.

The DPRK government pays deep attention to making its people strictly observe the rules of health, including handwashing.

It is also working hard to supply enough, clear water to people and provide them with good living conditions."