Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and his wife watch a concert given in his honor by the elite Mansudae Art Troupe at the East Pyongyang Grand Theater on 28 October 2013 (Photos: Rodong Sinmun).
The DPRK Government hosted a banquet and staged a concert in Pyongyang on 28 October (Monday) for Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and senior Mongolian officials on a four-day visit to the country. The government’s banquet was hosted by the Supreme People’s Assembly Presidium at Mansudae Assembly Hall in Pyongyang. Among those in attendance from the DPRK were SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam, Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun, Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam, Minister of Physical Culture and Sports Ri Jong Mu, Chairwoman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Kim Jong Suk, Vice Chief of the Korean People’s Army General Staff Col. Gen. O Kum Chol, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Pak Kil Yon, Vice Minister of Land and Marine Transport Kwak Il Ryong, DPRK Ambassador to Mongolia Hong Kyu and Chairman of the DPRK-Mongolia Friendship Association and Vice Chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries Kim Jin Bom. Among those in attendance from the Mongolian government were President Elbegdorj and his wife, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Luvsanvandan Bold, Mongolian Ambassador to the DPRK Manibadrakh Ganbold, Minister of Industry and Agriculture Khaltmaa Battulga, Secretary-General of the National Security Council Tsagaandari Enkhtuvshin, Chief of the General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Tserendejid Byambajav, Vice Minister of Road Transport Khabshai Erjan, Presidential National Security and Foreign Policy Advisor Lundeg Purevsuren, Presidential Advisor for Mass Liaison and Mass Policy Amgalanbaatar Ganbaatar, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Pureb Altangere and officials and staff on the Mongolian Embassy in the DPRK.
Kim Yong Nam spoke on behalf of the DPRK Government. According to KCNA, Kim said:
This is a significant year marking the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the 25th anniversary of President Kim Il Sung’s (Kim Il-so’ng) second visit to Mongolia.
The Mongolian president’s visit to the DPRK marks an important occasion in boosting the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, which were provided and developed by the preceding leaders, as required by the new era. The exchange of delegations at various levels and visits have become brisk in various fields including politics, economy, military affairs and sports and support and cooperation in the international arena have grown stronger than ever before.
We rejoice as our own over the fact that the friendly government and people of Mongolia have achieved the rapid socio-economic development of the country and raised the international position of their country by pursuing an independent and multi-faceted foreign policy under the leadership of the president. And we sincerely hope that everything will go well in Mongolia in the days to come.
We will as ever make all efforts to positively develop the friendly and cooperative relations with Mongolia having a long history and tradition.
Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj spoke on behalf of the Mongolian Government. According to KCNA, President Elbegdorj said:
I am pleased that the official talks between the two countries were held in a candid and friendly atmosphere and consensus was reached on all issues discussed at the talks.
All issues agreed upon between the two countries would make a substantial contribution to enriching the bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation in new areas and positively developing them in the mutual interests.
The Mongolian people are pleased that the preceding leaders of state and government of Mongolia and His Excellency Kim Il Sung and His Excellency Kim Jong Il (Kim Cho’ng-il), great leaders of Korean people, laid the cornerstone of traditional friendly relations between Mongolia and the DPRK and the bilateral cooperation is steadily improving in the fields of politics, economy, culture and humanitarianism.
I am sure that the Korean people will successfully achieve prosperity and progress of the country, their happiness and regional peace and stability in close cooperation with the international community.
I wish the hard-working Korean people greater successes in carrying out the cause of peaceful reunification of the country and its prosperity under the leadership of Marshal Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n), first secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, first chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK and supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army.
According to KCNA, “the banquet proceeded in an atmosphere overflowing with friendly sentiments.”
The Mansudae Art Troupe also staged a performance in honor of President Elbegdorj and the Mongolian delegation at the East Pyongyang Grand Theater. Kim Yong Nam, DPRK officials and Pyongyangites attended the concert. Songs performed included “Fortune of Korea,” “Our Leader Loved by the People,” “Ardent Desire,” and Mongolian songs “Remember My Mother” and “I Love Mongolia.” According to KCNA, ”the performers represented the boundless reverence of the army and people for Marshal Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) who is carving out a bright future of Korea.” After the performance a floral basket to the Mansudae Art Troupe was delivered on President Elbegdorj’s behalf.
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