An international architecture book fair kicked off in Pyongyang Monday, drawing 24 publishers from seven countries and two international organizations.

The book fair, first of its kind in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), will last until Wednesday.

The exhibition will help the DPRK people know better about the history and achievements of architecture, recognize its trend in the new century and push forward the friendly cooperation between the DPRK and other countries, said Mun Jae Chol, acting chairman of the Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, at the opening ceremony.

The publishers, from countries including China, Russia, Germany, France and Indonesia, will hold a variety of seminars to boost exchange and cooperation.

Choe Thae Bok, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, and some foreign ambassadors were also present at the opening ceremony.

(Xinhua News Agency August 3, 2009)