Pyongyang, June 18 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Tuesday:

- Editorials warmly welcome Vladimir Putin, president of the Russian Federation.

- Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is to visit the DPRK.

- A ceremony for moving into new houses took place at the Thaephyong Farm in Hyangsan County of Jagang Province.

- Order of DPRK Friendship was conferred on the vice-president of the International Taekwon-Do Federation and the president of the European Taekwon-Do Federation.

- The executive committee of the International Martial Arts Games Committee met in Pyongyang and a ceremony of lighting the fire for the 9th International Martial Arts Games took place here.

- An event was held to mark World Blood Donor Day.

Rodong Sinmun

- V. Putin released an article saying that the relations of friendship and good neighborliness between Russia and the DPRK last for over 70 years with glorious historic tradition.

- A symposium of social scientists took place to mark the 60th anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il's start of work at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.

- Articles deal with the DPRK-Russia friendship with long historic root and tradition.

Minju Joson

- Successes have been registered in different sectors of the national economy.

- An article stresses that the Russian people will certainly win a victory of justice. -0-