Pyongyang, December 22 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, Monday received a message of condolences from Nursultan Nazarbayev, president of Kazakhstan.

It was with deep sorrow that I have learnt about the demise of Kim Jong Il, leader of the DPRK and the Korean people, the president said in the message.

Kim Jong Il, the honored statesman of the Korean nation and distinguished person, made a great contribution to the establishment and strengthening of friendly relations between the two countries, he said, adding:

On behalf of the people of Kazakhstan and my own behalf, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathies to all the Korean people.