DPRK leader attends concert of Russian, Korean musicians

PYONGYANG, March 8 (Itar-Tass) - Leader of the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Il has attended a joint concert of the
Moscow Symphony XXI Century Orchestra named after S. S. Prokofiyev, and
the Korean Samjiyon Symphony Orchestra which is part of the Mansudae Art
Troupe.
The performance was given at Pyongyang's Grand Theatre on Monday and
was timed to coincide with the International Women's Day (IWD).
Prior to the concert, the General Secretary of the Workers' Party of
Korea and Chairman of the State Committee for Defence greeted the Russian
musicians and conversed with People's Artist of the Russian Federation
(RF) Pavel Ovsyannikov, artistic director and chief conductor of the XXI
Century Orchestra.
The programme of the concert included works by Korean and Russian
composers, including songs of the Soviet era. At the close of the
concert, Kim Jong Il personally thanked the Russian musicians for the
"fine performance that has given much joy to the Korean women who are
marking the IWD".
Together with the country's leader, the concert was watched by his
youngest son Kim Jong Un, Prime Minister Choe Yong Rim, and other leading
officials of the DPRK.
Russian diplomats headed by Valery Sukhinin, RF Ambassador in
Pyongyang, were also present at the concert