Pyongyang, February 17 (KCNA) -- A ceremony was held in Pyongyang on Feb. 16 to award Party and state commendations to soldier-builders and youth shock brigade members who performed labor feats in the construction of the Sinuiju Combined Greenhouse Farm.

The soldier-builders and youth shock brigade members entered the plaza of the April 25 House of Culture where the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea is to be held.

Present there were Choe Ryong Hae, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, Ri Il Hwan, Pak Jong Chon and Ri Hi Yong, secretaries of the WPK Central Committee, Jong Kyong Thaek, director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army, and other officials of the Party, government and armed forces organs, and soldier-builders and youth shock brigade members who performed labor feats in the construction of the greenhouse farm, commanding officers of the KPA, youth league officials and youth and students.

Ri Il Hwan made a congratulatory address.

Upon authorization of the WPK Central Committee, he extended warm thanks and congratulations to the soldier-builders and youth shock brigade members, who presented the Ninth Party Congress with a grand monumental edifice for the wellbeing of the great DPRK people and demonstrated to the whole world the revolutionary spirit and fighting stamina of the young people upholding the ideology and cause of the Party in the vanguard, the advantages of socialism and the boundless potential for development.

He expressed belief that all the soldier-builders and youth shock brigade members would remain boundlessly loyal to the leadership of the WPK and add eternal luster to the honor of today as befitting the courageous young fighters in the next-stage struggle for dignity and prosperity of their beloved country.

Choe Ryong Hae read out a decree of the SPA Standing Committee of the DPRK.

Kim Yong Sam, Paek Hak Myong, Ri Hyon Su and others were awarded the title of Labor Hero of the DPRK along with Gold Medal (Hammer and Sickle) and Order of National Flag First Class.

Order of Kim Il Sung was conferred on Jang Chol Yong, Ri Song Chol and Jon Hak Chol.

Order of Kim Jong Il went to Ri Tong Hyok, Hong Yun Chol and Kim Un Chol.

Watches bearing the august name of Chairman Kim Jong Il were awarded to Ri Chang Ho, Ri Myong Hyok, Jang Tu Il and others.

Citations of Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, were conferred on Kim Thae Ryong, Song Po Hyon, Hong Tong Chol and others.

Kim Il Sung Youth Honor Prize went to 21 persons and Kim Jong Il Youth Honor Prize to 22 persons.

Order of National Flag First Class was awarded to 64 persons, Order of Labor to 54 persons, Order of National Flag Second Class to 570 persons, Order of National Flag Third Class to 1 476 persons, Distinguished Military Service Medal to 2 568 persons and Medal of Merit to 764 persons.

There were resolve-taking speeches. -0-