Pyongyang, February 24 (KCNA) -- Charge d'Affaires ad Interim Vladimir Topeha and Defense Attaché Alexei Bartusov of the Russian embassy here gave a reception at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on February 23 on the occasion of the Day of Defenders of the Motherland.

Present there on invitation were Kim Thae Gun, vice-minister of National Defence of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, generals and officers of the Korean People's Army, officials concerned and members of the diplomatic corps and military attaches corps here.

Staff members of the Russian embassy were on hand.

Speeches were made at the reception.

The participants in the reception toasted the health of Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the health of Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, president of the Russian Federation, and the steady development of the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation, and alliance between the two countries. -0-