The Beijing Olympic flame has arrived at Pyongyang, capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on early Monday, for the 18th leg of its global tour.

This is the first time for the country to receive the flame.

Ree Zong Seg is the vice chairman of National Olympic Committee in the DPRK.

"People in DPRK wish Beijing Olympic Games a huge success. Our good wishes will be carried to Beijing just like the blazing flame."

Chinese ambassador to the DPRK Liu Xiaoming says Pyongyang is fully prepared for the torch relay.

Liu also says he appreciates the Pyongyang government resurfacing the route of the relay and repainting of some of the buildings along the way.

"Both DPRK's party and government place great emphasis on the event. Especially under the lead of Chairman Kim Jong-Il who is very attentive to this event, the whole DPRK pay lots of attention."

Liu Xiaoming, also the first torch bearer, will hand the flame over to the DPRK's first torch bearer at the Korea-China friendship tower.

The Pyongyang leg of the torch relay will starting on Monday morning, and 80 torchbearers will participate in the 20 kilometer relay.