DPRK official: relations with China to reach higher level in 2009

PYONGYANG, Dec. 26 (Chinese media) -- Relations between the Democratic People’s

Republic of Korea (DPRK) and China will be taken to a higher level in the new

year, a senior DPRK official said Friday.

Top DPRK leader Kim Jong Il attaches great importance to his country's

relationship with China, said Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of

the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, at a reception in the Chinese embassy

here.

Bilateral relations developed with a good momentum in 2008, Yang said.

The DPRK will host a series of events marking the "2009 Friendship Year"

arranged by both countries, he added.

China will take the opportunity of the Friendship Year to push forward

bilateral exchanges and cooperation with the DPRK in every field, said Liu

Xiaoming, the Chinese ambassador to the DPRK.