Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, Friday received a message of condolences from Joseph Kabila Kabange, president of Democratic Congo.

The message said:

It was with bitter sorrow that I heard the sad news that the great leader Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army, passed away.

I, on behalf of all people of Democratic Congo and on my own, express most profound condolences to you and share sorrow over the loss with the Korean people.

May the soul of the prominent leader rest in peace.

Please, Your Excellency vice-chairman, accept assurances of highest consideration.