First of all, I want to thank the Russian Society for Friendship with the DPRK, Bomminryong and the DPRK International Solidarity Group for organizing a memorable evening dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the passing away of Comrade Kim Jong Il, the Great Leader of the Korean people.
The life of the Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il, who led the Korean revolution along a victorious path, inheriting the great work of Comrade Kim Il Sung is the life of an outstanding patriot who gave his whole life for the sake of his homeland and people.
The last years of his life, Comrade Kim Jong Il suffered from physical fatigue, from illness, but he, boldly overcoming these trials, continued his trip throughout the country for leadership on the spot. In December 2011, doctors begged that he refrain from traveling and that he take special care of his health, but despite their advice, as well as the desire of all the our people, he continued to travel throughout the country and it was on the train that he died.
During his lifetime, the Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il paid special attention to the development of relations of friendship and cooperation with Russia, which have a long tradition and history.
All those present here remember very well the last visit of the Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il to the Russian Federation. It was in August 2011, in spite of his state of health (this was the last year of his life), that he made a trip-visit to the Siberian Far Eastern regions of Russia and thus he made great achievements for the development of friendly, cooperative relations between our two countries.
Repeated meetings of the supreme leaders of the two countries, as well as agreements and joint documents signed by the supreme leaders of the two countries, are a reliable basis for further strengthening and developing relations of friendship and cooperation between our two countries.
Today, Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, inheriting the noble intentions of Comrade Kim Jong Il, continues to pay great attention to the development of relations of friendship and cooperation with Russia, which have a deep tradition. The meeting held in April 2019 in Vladivostok between the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, and Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, is an important moment that serves to further develop relations of friendship and cooperation between our countries at a higher strategic level.
We will continue to follow the great deed of the Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il, and also, supporting the leadership of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, continue to develop the relations of friendship and cooperation between our two countries.
Today, our people, supporting the programmatic course that was approved at the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, as well as highly supporting the political course put forward at the session of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, despite the difficulties and trials that are accumulating in front of us, continue to achieve brilliant success in all areas of socialist construction. And taking this opportunity, I would like to once again express my deep sincere gratitude to Comrade Petrov and the Society for Friendship with the DPRK, Bomminryong, the DPRK International Solidarity Group, Comrade Baburin, who, unfortunately, today could not take part in this event, as well as the International Peace Fund for active and unwavering support for the just cause of our people and the government of our Republic.
