Pyongyang, August 8 (KCNA) -- Kim Tok Hun, premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on Aug. 6 sent a congratulatory message to Mohammad Reza Aref upon his appointment as first vice-president of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The premier in the message wished the first vice-president of Iran success in his work, expressing belief that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries with a long history and tradition would grow stronger. -0-