Pyongyang, August 15 (KCNA) -- All the people across the DPRK are greeting the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation with great pride and self-confidence as a great revolutionary auspicious event as they are dynamically advancing along the road of independence, self-sustenance and self-defence, ushering in a great new era of comprehensive national rejuvenation under the leadership of the ever-victorious Workers' Party of Korea.

The celebration of the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation took place in Pyongyang on August 14.

The Arch of Triumph Plaza was in majestic appearance as it reflected the excitement and joy of the people who became the masters of the new Korea and the immortal revolutionary feats and annuals of miracle over the 80 years of building the country and defending its sovereign rights. It was filled with jubilation of the people who are demonstrating the dignity and might of a powerful country, upholding the country's strong existence and steady development with the great revolutionary traditions created in the flames of the anti-Japanese struggle as precious wealth.

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, attended the celebration.

When the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un arrived at the venue of the celebration amid the welcome music, fireworks were set off and a lot of balloons flew to decorate the sky in significant August.

All the participants raised the stormy cheers of "Hurrah!", looking up to the outstanding leader of the Juche revolution who put our socialist state on the top of the century as the most powerful and dignified country and dynamically led the great historic cause of realizing the ideals of the people along the road of brilliant victory and glory.

Schoolchildren presented fragrant bouquets to Kim Jong Un reflecting the unanimous desire of the people across the country.

Schoolchildren presented bouquets to senior officials of the Party, government and armed forces organs and Byacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma of the Russian Federation.

Present there were members of the central leadership body of the Party, leading officials of ministries and national agencies, descendants of those related to the anti-Japanese revolutionary struggle, meritorious persons of socialist patriotism and other officials, working people, youth and students in Pyongyang, service personnel of the Korean People's Army, teaching staff and students of the revolutionary schools.

Present there on invitation were members of the delegation of the State Duma and the delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation who are on a congratulatory visit to the DPRK on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation, the Russian ambassador to the DPRK and his embassy members.

Present there were overseas compatriots staying in the socialist homeland including an expeditionary group of the General Association of Koreans in China for a study tour of the revolutionary battle sites in the area of Mt Paektu.

The DPRK national anthem was played solemnly.

A 21-gun salute boomed.

Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK, first vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, made a congratulatory speech.

Noting that today we are greeting the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation, the first precious victory in the glorious history of the Korean revolution spanning nearly a century and an epoch-making event in 5 000 years of history, the speaker paid immortal glory and highest tribute to President Kim Il Sung who aroused the people, who had been forced to suffer the disgrace and misfortune, to the anti-Japanese national salvation and thus put an end to the colonial rule of the Japanese imperialism and achieved the epochal cause of restoring the sovereignty.

He said that the 40-odd years of struggle of our people for the independence of the country teaches the truth that the country and people without correct leadership and strength cannot escape the humiliation as a stateless nation and that the lost dignity can be regained and defended only by the powerful internal forces of the people themselves rallied close around the great leader.

Our state shows the world a new phase of the gigantic advance of further promoting the overall national power under the wise leadership of the great Comrade Kim Jong Un, he said, stressing that thanks to the great people, the superior political system embodying the people-first principle and the might united with patriotism, the vigorous prosperity of our state will continue and communism desired by the revolutionary forerunners will come true on this land.

Referring to the noble internationalist spirit and distinguished military feats of the service personnel of the Soviet Union who fought shoulder to shoulder with the Korean revolutionary army for Korea's liberation, he said that the unity and comradeship forged at the cost of blood in the struggle for the common cause are fully displayed in the battlefield of the 21st century to frustrate the imperialists' outrageous arbitrary practices and aggressive moves and are developing into a powerful alliance, which is a clear proof of the eternal vitality of the DPRK-Russia friendship.

Choe Ryong Hae said that the revolutionary forerunners who provided the mental heritage that makes people rise up through any difficulties and paved the way for victory are infinitely encouraging and pushing us towards the steady advance, calling upon all the people to continue to wage a dynamic struggle for the eternal prosperity and rejuvenation of the country firmly united with the great idea of patriotism and the principle of our state first.

Byacheslav Volodin, speaker of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, made a speech.

Saying that he was pleased to take part in the grand celebration, he read a congratulatory letter sent to Comrade Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, by Comrade Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation.

Expressing the will to value the Russia-DPRK friendly relations, to thoroughly implement all the provisions of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and to strive for the development of the relations between the two countries, he wished the DPRK people prosperity and happiness.

Kim Jong Un made a significant speech on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation.

Today's celebration, highly praising the new birth of the DPRK and the sacred path of its development, is the illumination of the times and a proud review of how the history of new Korea, which has lasted 80 years together with the immortal spirit of bringing about a turn in the destiny of the people, and the arduous resistance history spanning tens of years can be positioned at the peak of dignity and honour, he said, referring to the revolutionary character and political significance of the cause of national liberation through which our people regained their independent dignity.

Referring to the boundless reverence for the great people who are possessed of the noble outlook on life regarding the life devoted to the victory and glory of their country as the most valuable and happiest life, Kim Jong Un stressed that no one can break such a righteous, strong and self-respecting people and that a country built and supported by such a patriotic and self-respectful people will be ever-powerful and immortal.

Noting that the great history of the dignity and glory of the DPRK people will shine forever generation after generation, he ardently called for steadily and undauntedly overcoming the challenges facing the DPRK for the great powerful country and the eternal wellbeing and prosperity of our beloved country which will shine forth for all ages.

When Kim Jong Un finished his speech, enthusiastic cheers resounded which reflected the firm will of all the participants to remain boundlessly loyal to the historic mission and duty of their era and generation, while boundlessly loving and upholding the country which provides them with genuine life and happiness.

The celebration ended with the playing of the song "The Internationale".

The celebration was of great significance as it fully demonstrated the unshakable faith and will of the DPRK people to win without fail the final victory of the revolutionary cause of Juche pioneered in Mt Paektu by redoubling the loyalty, patriotic traditions, indomitable pioneering spirit and heroic stamina of upholding the sacred history of our state with the years of proud victory and miracles under the leadership of the great Comrade Kim Jong Un. -0-