Denis Sassou-Nguesso,the President of the Republic of Congo paid a visit to our country on March 12-15, 1983, 40 years ago.

He had already visited our country leading a military delegation of the government of Congo in April 1972 and met with President Kim Il Sung . At the time, he was deeply charmed by the great image of President Kim Il Sung . So, after being elected as the head of State in March 1979, he ardently wished to visit our country again in order to receive valuable teachings of President Kim Il Sung on matters related to strengthening the Congolese Party of Labour and building a prosperous country.

Reading his earnest desire, President Kim Il Sung personally invited him to visit our country and gave careful attention to his itinerary so that he did not feel any inconvenience in cold weather.

On March 12, President Kim Il Sung warmly greeted the Congolese President and his suite at the airport and accorded him with sincere hospitality by arranging a welcoming banquet and dinner.

Although he was busy leading the revolution and construction, President Kim Il Sung met with the Congolese President on several occasions and actively supported his decision to build an independent and prosperous country under the banner of socialism and gave valuable teachings on Party and state building and the development of the Non-Aligned Movement. He also dispatched a delegation of able experts to help the creation of a mass gymnastic display.

Deeply moved by this, the Congolese President highly admired President Kim Il Sung as “the outstanding leader of the world people” and presented to him gifts carrying his sincerity.

During his stay, the Congolese President experienced feelings of great admiration and excitement visiting the old home at Mangyongdae, the birthplace of President Kim Il Sung , and several other places including the University of National Economy and Taean General Heavy Machine Plant (at that time). Before his departure, he repeatedly expressed his gratitude towards President Kim Il Sung for bestowing deep concern and care on him. He also expressed his will to make active contributions to strengthening cooperation and unity between the two peoples.

Indeed, the external activities conducted by President Kim Il Sung and President  Denis Sassou-Nguesso served as an important event of great significance in developing the fraternal relations of friendship between the two countries on a higher level, strengthening unity among the non-aligned countries and implementing the common cause of anti-imperialism.

The DPRK-Congo relations with long history and tradition are invariably being carried forward even today under the great attention of respected Comrade Kim Jong Un who is carrying on the noble will of President Kim Il Sung .

We will actively support and encourage the Congolese people in their struggle to defend the country’s sovereignty and economic development in future, too. We will exert all our efforts to further expand and develop the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between our two countries.

Song Se Il

President of Korea-Africa Association