Pyongyang, March 24 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a congratulatory message from V. Putin, president of the Russian Federation, on March 23.

The message said:

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un,

I extend my wholehearted congratulations to you on your reelection as president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The decision of the deputies to the Supreme People's Assembly clearly proves the unanimous public support for the line you are pursuing to effectively settle the socio-economic tasks facing the DPRK and defend the sovereignty and legitimate interests of the country in the international arena.

Russia highly appreciates your direct contribution to consolidating the friendly and allied relations between the two countries.

We will, of course, continue to work closely together to further develop the comprehensive strategic partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang.

This undoubtedly corresponds to the fundamental interests of our two countries' peoples.

I wish you good health and well-being with a new success in your responsible state activities.

Yours sincerely. -0-