Commendation-awarding Ceremony Takes Place in Presence of Kim Jong Un

Pyongyang, February 19 (KCNA) -- There took place a ceremony of conferring party and state commendations on the scientists, technicians, workers and officials who contributed to the successful launch of the earth observation satellite Kwangmyongsong-4 at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on the Wednesday morning. Present at the ceremony was Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. He declared the beginning of the ceremony and made a congratulatory speech. He said that space conquers who demonstrated the self-esteem and authority of our great state and indomitable mettle of the strong people over the world were the best patriots and admirable heroes of Juche Korea. He indicated the principled stand and strategic tasks of the Workers' Party of Korea on the space development. He underscored the need to successfully launch more working satellites of Juche Korea faster by conducting a dynamic campaign of intelligence and drive of breaking through the cutting edge in order to pave a wide avenue to occupying space. He called upon the space science field to hold high the banner in glorifying the 7th WPK Congress as a meeting of victory and glory. He set forth the concrete tasks and ways of doing so. A decree of the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People's Assembly was read out. Kim Jong Un personally awarded to the members who contributed to the successful launch of the satellite Kim Jong Il Order, the title of DPRK Hero and gold star medal and Order of National Flag First Class. -0-