Pyongyang, February 21 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea received a congratulatory message from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation on February 10.

The message said:

On the occasion of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, an important political event in the Party and state activities, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation extends warm congratulations and comradely greetings to the delegates to the Party congress and members of the WPK and all the heroic Korean people.

The WPK has wisely led the Korean people to advance along the road of socialism, overcoming all difficulties under the harsh conditions of the hostile imperialist forces’ economic blockade and constant pressure, and set an example of devoted service to the working people.

True to the desire of Comrade Kim Il Sung and Comrade Kim Jong Il, the great leaders of the Korean people and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the WPK has defended its position as the leading and guiding force of society under the uplifted banner of the struggle for socialism and demonstrated its militant might and the victory of socialist ideology before the world.

Our two parties have been linked for decades by the fraternal friendship and joint struggle for the future of socialism, the goal of all of us.

Dear comrades,

We wish you success and good results in your work for the prosperity of the country and happiness of the people. -0-