Pyongyang, December 21 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea Monday received a message of condolences from G. Zyuganov, chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, over the demise of leader Kim Jong Il.

The message said:

Dear comrades,

We were saddened to hear the news that Comrade Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the WPK, leader of the DPRK and faithful son of the Korean people, passed away.

Kim Jong Il's life had been dedicated to the country and the cause of the socialist construction in the DPRK.

Under his leadership the Korean people have achieved good successes in various fields of the national economy.

As supreme commander of the KPA Comrade Kim Jong Il had paid particular attention to increasing the fighting efficiencies of the Korean People's Army and the national defence capabilities.

He laid down historic proposals for peaceful reunification of the country and for peace, stability and security in the Korean Peninsula and the rest of Northeast Asia.

Dear comrades,

We, along with the Korean communists and all other Korean people, cannot repress our heartrending grief over the demise of Comrade Kim Jong Il.

We express our heartfelt condolences over his demise.

We are convinced that the heroic Korean people will overcome sorrow and steadily keep to the path chosen by Comrade Kim Jong Il.