Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a message of greeting from V. Putin, president of the Russian Federation, on Dec. 18.

The message said:

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un,

I extend my wholehearted congratulations to you on the occasion of the New Year.

The past one year was of special significance in the relationship between Moscow and Pyongyang.

The heroic entry of soldiers of the Korean People's Army into the battles for liberating the Kursk region from occupiers and the subsequent activities of Korean engineers in the land of Russia clearly proved the invincible friendship and militant fraternity between the Russian Federation and the DPRK.

What is important is that the provisions of the historic treaty on comprehensive strategic partnership have been fulfilled in a planned way thanks to our joint efforts.

This has contributed to expanding remarkably the productive, bilateral cooperation in political, trade, economic, human and other fields.

I am convinced that we will in the future, too, strengthen the relations of friendship and alliance in every way and conduct constructive cooperation on regional and international issues.

This will undoubtedly accord with the fundamental interests of the peoples of our two countries and contribute to establishing a just order of the multi-polar world.

I wish you and your friends good health, wellbeing and successes, and all the citizens of the DPRK happiness and prosperity.

Yours sincerely. -0-