TheIce Rink on the picturesque banks of the Pothong River in Pyongyang has been splendidlyrenovated atthe time when Pyongyang, the capital of the DPRK, is constantly developing intoa world ideal city where socialist civilization flourishes according to thefar-reaching plan of the Central Committee of the great Workers’ Party of Koreaand under its energetic leadership.

TheIce Rink, which wrote its proud history of 40-odd years since it was built as abase for the development of the winter games of the country and the physicaltraining of working people, youth and children, has turned into amultifunctional sports and cultural complex capable of holding various indoorsports games and art performances, as well as ice sports, as required by thenew era aspiring after the rejuvenation of civilization along with the greatgolden age of construction.

Anopening ceremony of the renovated Ice Rink was held on August 14 on theoccasion of the significant 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation.

Presentthere were Pak Thae Song, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau ofthe Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and premier of the DPRKCabinet, Kim Tok Hun, secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK andchairman of the National Sports Guidance Committee, Kim Jong Gwan, vice-premierof the Cabinet, Ri Myong Guk, minister of Finance who doubles as chairman ofthe Ice Sports Association, other officials concerned, builders whoparticipated in the renovation project, officials of ministries and nationalagencies, sportspersons, officials and employees of the Ice Rink and Pyongyangcitizens.

KimTok Hun made an opening address.

TheIce Rink, which has undergone a complete change to be a sports centre with new fresh looks befittingthe grandeur of the capital city and suited to the modern aesthetic sense and with latestinterior facilities and to be a distinctive multifunctional cultural activity base,is another outcome of the new era of civilization and rejuvenation whereeveryone progresses and everything develops afresh, he said.

Hereferred to the fact that the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, who makes sure that all the structures are built ascreations that reflect the aspirations and ideal of the current generation andthat can represent a new era of socialist cultural development, clearlyindicated the orientation and ways for turning the Ice Rink into a sports andcultural activity base of new domain and form and provided energetic guidanceto renovate it on a world level.

TheIce Rink is a monument associated with the noble will of Comrade Kim Jong Un to glorify the creationwith a sacred history not only as a symbol of the past era but also as an assetfor sportspersons and rising generations forever, both in the present and inthe future, he said, adding that herein lies the genuine position and absoluteheight of the Ice Rink which can never be measured by any yardstick of advancement and civilization.

Pointingto the need to bring about changes also in the work to improve the material andtechnical foundations of the sports sector in the era of overall development, heexpressed belief that the wonderfully renovated sports and cultural complexwould demonstrate the rejuvenation and progress of the state and make the lifemore beautiful, pleasant and colourful.

A figure-skatingdemonstration was given after the opening ceremony.

Theperformers showed off their excellent ice-skating skills including elegantand soft rhythm and skilful rotation and jumping in different numbers such asgroup performance and ice dancing.

Theaudience gave a big hand to the performers who unfolded fascinating andoptimistic scenes on the rink to the tune of dynamic, lilting and lyricalmelodies.

Thedemonstration artistically showed the happy present of the Korean people whoare enjoying to their heart’s content a new civilization flourishing day afterday under the loving care of the great Party and a rosier future as well,adding to the pleasure of inauguration.