Pyongyang, February 21 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea received a congratulatory message from the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party in February.

The message said:

Respected comrades,

As regards the significant Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, we extend warm congratulations and best wishes, on behalf of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and all its Party members and the Lao people, to the Central Committee of the WPK and all its Party members and the participants in the congress.

The Ninth WPK Congress to be held in the present complicated regional and international situation is a political event of great significance for the Korean party, state, army and people as a whole, and it will mark an important milestone in steadily strengthening the WPK.

We are firmly convinced that you, comrades will successfully formulate the Party's lines, policies and strategy at the current congress and continue to steadfastly lead the cause of building a powerful socialist country, thus bringing happiness to the people and remarkably enhancing the role and leadership ability of the WPK in the national and international political arenas.

Availing ourselves of this opportunity, we hope that the Ninth Congress of the WPK will result in good success and the long-standing friendly and cooperative relations between the two parties, states and peoples of Laos and the DPRK will be everlasting.

We pay fraternal tribute. -0-