Pyongyang, September 9 (KCNA) -- Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, Thursday sent a message of sympathy to Russian President Dmitri Anatoliyevich Medvedev as regards the crash of an airliner which carried a hockey team in Russia, claiming large casualties.

The case is a big loss to the government, people and sports circle of Russia, the message said, expressing deep sympathy and consolation to the Russian President and, through him, to the bereaved families and victims.