Pyongyang, July 28 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, hosted a reception for the military delegation of the Russian Federation led by Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu on July 27, the war victory day.

Present there were Jo Yong Won and Ri Pyong Chol, members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK, Kang Sun Nam, minister of National Defence of the DPRK, Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the DPRK, and other senior Party and government officials, and commanding officers of the Ministry of National Defence and commanders of the services, large combined units and combined units of the Korean People's Army.

Prior to the reception, Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu courteously handed a gift from Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin to the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un.

Kim Jong Un expressed deep thanks to Putin for sending a significant gift to him.

Kim Jong Un entered the banquet hall together with Sergei Shoigu amid the playing of welcome music, being given a standing ovation by all the participants who greeted the meaningful moment, another event to be etched in the history of the traditional DPRK-Russia friendship.

Ri Pyong Chol made a speech at the reception.

Warmly welcoming the Russian Minister of Defence who is the closest comrades-in-arm and brother and all comrades of the Russian military delegation, who were present at the significant reception for marking the 70th anniversary of the great war victory, Ri Pyong Chol said that their visit to the DPRK served as an occasion for powerfully demonstrating the might of unity and solidarity between the two countries which had been sealed at the cost of blood and have been growing stronger on the road of realizing the common ideal and goal.

He said the DPRK-Russia friendship, which the revolutionary forerunners of the two countries provided and cultivated with much care by fighting bloody battles together, is developing into the invincible comradeship and long-term strategic relations under the special care of Comrade Kim Jong Un and Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.

The armies and peoples of the two countries are safeguarding the sovereign rights, development and interests of their countries from the U.S. brigandish strategy for world domination by dint of ideologies and arms, and strongly supporting and encouraging each other to protect the regional and global peace and security and international justice by their concerted efforts, he said.

Upon authorization of Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the DPRK and supreme commander of the armed forces of the DPRK, he extended the warmest militant regards, support and encouragement to the fighting Russian army and people on behalf of the DPRK government, armed forces and all the Korean people.

He expressed belief that the armies and peoples of the DPRK and Russia would always get united as genuine comrades and comrades-in-arms and emerge victorious thanks to the deep friendship between the top leaders of the two countries and the traditions of victory and the noble spirit bequeathed by the victorious wartime generations.

Then Sergei Shoigu made a speech.

He extended sincere congratulations to all the Korean people on the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Fatherland Liberation War in reflection of the feelings of the Russian people.

The KPA has become the most powerful army in the world as it has honorably inherited the militant traditions of the Paektusan guerrilla army and the respected generations and striven to make itself strong, rallied close around its Supreme Commander, he stressed.

The KPA has faithfully upheld the leadership of the WPK, reliably defended the country from the imperialists' threat, devoted themselves to the people and made positive contributions to the economic construction, he said.

Wishing all the veterans who took part in the Fatherland Liberation War longevity in good health and the peoples of the two countries friendship and well-being, he expressed the willingness of the Russian Federation to develop the multi-faceted cooperation with the DPRK consistently.

All the participants toasted the good health of Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, and Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation.

An art performance was given to welcome the Russian military delegation during the reception.

Kim Jong Un had pleasant chats with Sergei Shoigu and other major members of the Russian military delegation, deepening comradely friendship.

The reception proceeded in an amicable and friendly atmosphere. -0-