N.K. leader watches Kim Yon-Ja show

North Korean Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-Il attended Wednesday a friendship arts festival being held in Hamhung, one of festivities marking the 89th birthday of the late North Korean president Kim Il-Sung, which falls on Apr. 15, and watched a show of Kim Yon-Ja, a Korean pop songstress active in Japan.

After the show, the North Korean leader gave a flower basket to the songstress and dined with her. Also present at the performance were, among others, Jong Ha-Chol, propaganda bureau director of the ruling Workers Party, and Gens. Hyon Chol-Hae and Park Jae-Kyong, both deputy directors of the party` General Political Affairs Bureau.

The North Korean Central Broadcasting Station aired Thursday that the active Korean songstress residing in Japan sang her favorite songs as well as North Korean pop songs including ``Glad to Meet You,`` ``My Country Is Best`` and ``Whistle.`` The radio commented that songstress Kim drew great acclaims from the audience with her refined and unique singing style in expressing the Korean people`s inner feelings.

In the day, the radio station broadcast songs she sung at the festival on Mar. 7 for about 40 minutes.

Ha Tae-Won scooop@donga.com