Pyongyang, January 24 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Saturday:

- The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a reply message from the general secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party who is president of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

- The press deals with the preparations for the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea.

- Successes are being made in various economic sectors and units and in different parts of the country.

- The Farm Machine Institute and Sariwon Ri Kye Sun University of Education were inaugurated.

- A fish pickling factory was newly built at the Hanchon Fishery Station.

- New houses were built at some villages of Junghwa and Singye counties in North Hwanghae Province.

- New relics were unearthed in the area of Mt Paektu.

Rodong Sinmun

- An article says that the heyday of construction in the new era admired by the world will be given steady continuity thanks to the guidance of the Workers' Party of Korea.

- A meeting for reviewing the 2025 information and motivation workers contest took place.

- An article terms Koizumi's visit to the U.S. for building a military power a foolish act of hastening Japan's self-destruction.

Minju Joson

- An article calls for accelerating the general advance towards the glorious Party Congress with indomitable spirit.

- Another article is dedicated to International Day of Education. -0-