Pyongyang, December 26 (KCNA) -- The National Funeral Committee for Kim Jong Il, chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, on Dec. 22 received a message of condolences from Nagovitsin, president of the Republic of Buryatia, the Russian Federation.

The message said:

The Republic of Buryatia of the Russian Federation received with deepest sorrow the sad news that Comrade Kim Jong Il, chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, passed away.

He was an outstanding statesman, staunch and dedicated man and revolutionary with high prestige.

He met with President of the Russian Federation Dmitri Medvedev in the capital city of Buryatia and, in this course, I was greatly honored to see him.

I, on behalf of the government and all people of the Republic of Buryatia, express profound condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the people of the DPRK.

The Republic of Buryatia is also saddened and feels sorrow over irrevocable loss.

Please accept my sincere condolences.