Pyongyang, May 31 (KCNA) -- An unveiling ceremony of the memorial tablet for Aleksandr Matsegora, former Russian ambassador to the DPRK, took place at the Russian embassy here on May 30.

Jo Yong Won, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, first vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, attended the unveiling ceremony.

Also present there were Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui and officials concerned of the DPRK, Charge d'Affaires ad Interim Vladimir Topeha and staff members of the Russian embassy, Russian guests, bereaved family members and members of the diplomatic corps here.

The guard of honor of the Korean People's Army lined up before the memorial tablet.

Speeches were made at the unveiling ceremony.

Vladimir Topeha referred to the distinguished contribution made by Aleksandr Matsegora to the development of the Russia-DPRK friendly relations over the past decades, and said that his whole life is an example of devoted service for the homeland.

Choe Son Hui said that the exploits for the strengthened DPRK-Russia friendship performed by Aleksandr Matsegora, a close friend and genuine comrade-in-arms of the Korean people and a patriot and son of the Russian people who devotedly worked for the national interests of his country, will be remembered forever by the peoples of the two countries.

The son and daughter of Aleksandr Matsegora expressed heartfelt thanks to the friends of Russia and the DPRK for their sincerity devoted to the present unveiling ceremony of the memorial tablet.

The participants observed a moment's silence in memory of Aleksandr Matsegora.

When the memorial tablet was unveiled, the national anthems of the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea were played.

Seen in the memorial tablet, with the image of Aleksandr Matsegora and Order of Bravery carved in relief, are letters in Russian reading that Aleksandr Matsegora, a diplomat and a winner of Order of Bravery, served his homeland here.

The participants laid flowers before the memorial tablet.

At the end of the unveiling ceremony, Jo Yong Won met the bereaved family members and warmly consoled them, expressing conviction that they would contribute to the development of the DPRK-Russia relations, true to the intention of their deceased father. -0-