Pyongyang December 25 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, received messages of condolences from Alexander Paunov, first secretary of the C.C., Bulgarian Communist Party, Atanas Ivanov, honorary chairman of the Bulgarian Communists Union, and Miroslav Stepan, general secretary of the C.C., Czechoslovak Communist Party, on Dec. 20 and 21.

Alexander Paunov in his message said that the Korean people have lost the staunch fighter who put his heart and soul into the defence of independence of the DPRK against imperialism.

Atanas Ivanov praised leader Kim Jong Il as a prominent leader internationally recognized by the governments in all countries and the progressive forces.

Miroslav Stepan hoped that Kim Jong Un would accomplish the cause of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.