Pyongyang, August 17 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and supreme commander of the armed forces of the DPRK, received a message of greeting from G. A. Zhuganov, chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, on August 15.

In the message, Zhuganov, on behalf of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, extended warm congratulations to the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un and all the DPRK people on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan's colonial rule.

The message said that on September 9, 1948, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a state free from foreign oppression, appeared on the world map.

The birth of a new socialist sovereign state is the result of the self-sacrificing struggle waged by the DPRK people for a long period under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea, the message said, and went on:

Thanks to the indomitable will of the great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung and the great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has become an influential independent state recognized by the whole world.

You are honorably carrying forward the cause of the great preceding leaders.

The prospering DPRK has achieved great successes in the work for bolstering up the defence capability and developing industry, education and the national economy.

The living standards of the working people are improving continuously, and the DPRK is advancing forward with confidence despite the outside pressure of the imperialists.

By annihilating the Japanese imperialists in August 1945, the eternal unity of the fraternal peoples of the two countries was achieved and a solid foundation of militant friendship was laid.

Since then the two countries have been staunchly following the road of struggle for opposing imperialism, establishing just world order and displaying internationalism.

The present situation of war has made the two countries unite more firmly, and as 80 years ago the two countries are fighting against fascism shoulder to shoulder.

The Communist Party of the Russian Federation and the patriotic left-wing forces of Russia highly appreciate the principled stand of the DPRK supporting Russia in its special military operations.

The Communist Party of the Russian Federation expresses its sincere thanks to you for helping liberate Kursk Region.

Russia will never forget the feats of the heroic DPRK soldiers who shed their blood for the just world and the common freedom of the two countries.

I am confident that the genuine friendly relations and beneficial cooperation between the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and the Workers' Party of Korea will continue to grow stronger in all aspects.

The message wished the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un and all the fraternal DPRK people success and prosperity. -0-