Pyongyang, December 22 (KCNA) -- The DPRK National Defence Commission received a message of condolences from Truong Tan Sang, president of Vietnam and president of its National Defence and Security Council, on Tuesday as regards the demise of leader Kim Jong Il.

The message said:

I, on behalf of the State of Vietnam and the National Defence and Security Council of Vietnam, express deepest condolences to the DPRK National Defence Commission and the fraternal Korean people.

Comrade Kim Jong Il is the great leader of the Korean people.

His demise is untold great loss to the Korean party, state and people and the Vietnamese party, state and people lost their close friend and comrade.

We are convinced that the fraternal Korean people will overcome sorrow and display strength to break through difficulties and continuously achieve the shining victories in the cause of construction and development of the state under the leadership of the Workers' Party of Korea.

We are sure that the friendly and cooperative relations between Vietnam and the DPRK would continue to develop in the interests of the two peoples and regional and global peace, stability and cooperation.