N. Korean Leader Meets Russian Minister of Culture and Enjoys Art Performances

The peoples of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation are significantly commemorating as a common auspicious event the historic DPRK-Russia Pyongyang summit, which put the traditional relations of the two countries on the most excellent level, and the first anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation.

Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, met Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova, who is visiting the DPRK on the occasion of the first anniversary of the conclusion of the new treaty between the DPRK and Russia, leading a delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, at the headquarters building of the Party Central Committee on June 29.

Present there was Aleksandr Matsegora, Russian ambassador to the DPRK.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un warmly welcomed the visit to Pyongyang by the delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and had a warm and friendly talk.

At the talk, the head of the delegation expressed her sincere greetings to the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un for paying deep attention to the visit to Pyongyang by the delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, though he is very busy with state affairs.

Appreciating that extensive and profound exchange and cooperation in all fields are further expanding and developing day by day after the conclusion of the new treaty between the DPRK and Russia, Kim Jong Un said that this is substantially contributing to the co-prosperity, development and the promotion of the wellbeing of the two countries and two peoples.

Kim Jong Un stressed that all fields of state and social life are important but the exchange in the field of culture and art in particular plays a great role in strengthening the foundation of the public mindset of the two countries and firmly consolidating the ties of friendship, comradeship, mutual understanding and sympathy between the peoples.

Kim Jong Un said that from this point of view, it is important for the cultural sector to guide the relations between the two countries. To this end, it is necessary to further expand the exchange and cooperation in the field of culture and art to know well about each other's excellent cultural traditions and learn more, he added.

Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova expressed her impression of visiting beautiful Pyongyang at a time when the solidity and invincibility of the DPRK-Russia friendship and solidarity have been more clearly proved and the cooperation between the two countries in the cultural field reached the highest level in history and of meeting with the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un and conducting significant art and cultural events together with friends of the fraternal neighbors.

Saying that the current Pyongyang visit by the minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, personally leading the art troupes in significant June, is an important occasion for the DPRK people to have deeper understanding of the excellent culture of the Russian people, Kim Jong Un expressed belief that the current visit would further raise the militant comradeship and feelings of friendship between the two countries.

During the talk, he exchanged views on the prospective plans for cultural exchange and cooperation.

The conversation proceeded in a warm atmosphere of friendship from beginning to end.

Guided by Olga Lyubimova, minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, Kim Jong Un looked round the photos of grand monuments, famous edifices and beautiful landscape of Russia and scenes of its major cities displayed at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre.

That day he, together with the minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, enjoyed a performance given by the Russian artistes on a visit to Pyongyang and a return performance given by DPRK artistes.

Among the audience were senior Party and government officials, officials concerned, and officials, creators and artistes in the field of culture and art.

The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and staff members of the Russian embassy here appreciated the performances.

The Russian artistes put on the stage colorful numbers reflecting the Russian people's ardent love for their country and their just, strong and optimistic national character.

Russian famous songs and folk dances reflecting the peculiar traditional culture, customs and long history left a deep impression on the audience.

The Korean folk song "Arirang" and other songs of the DPRK were played to the beautiful and elegant tunes to please the audience.

Kim Jong Un had a floral basket presented to the Russian artistes, who sang the daily-blooming DPRK-Russia friendship with their peculiar and passionate performance, to congratulate them.

Then DPRK artistes gave a return performance, through which they sang the high praises of the noble thoughts and feelings and patriotism of the peoples of the two countries who are confidently carving out the future while overcoming all challenges of history.

The performance was enthusiastically acclaimed by the audience as it added to the strong desire and stamina to build a prosperous and powerful state without fail, and to the confidence that the militant ties of friendship and the genuine internationalist obligation between the peoples and armies of the two countries that were forged at the cost of blood and are shining in the annals of the DPRK-Russia friendship will last forever along with the history of victory.

The performances fully demonstrated the appearances of the two art troupes as popular ones by truthfully showing the fraternal friendship and friendly ties between the peoples of the two countries with rich artistic ability and elegant representation. The audience was deeply moved by the performances.

Kim Jong Un waved a farewell at the delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and asked Olga Lyubimova, minister of Culture, to convey his warm wishes to the esteemed Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation, and all the Russian people.