The message said:

On the occasion of the New Year I extend warm congratulations and warm compatriotic greetings to the officials of Chongryon including you and all other Koreans in Japan who have made devoted efforts for the strengthening and development of the movement of Koreans in Japan.

Last year Chongryon firmly defended itself, the legacy left by President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il out of patriotism, and brilliantly greeted the 60th anniversary of its formation with shining successes in the patriotic work, courageously foiling the vicious anti-Chongryon moves of the reactionaries at home and abroad even under the unprecedentedly complicated situation.

I am pleased that Chongryon and Koreans in Japan left distinguished patriotic marks in the efforts to develop Chongryon, build a thriving nation and accomplish the cause of national reunification with ardent love and total dedication to the socialist homeland in the significant last year which marked 70th anniversaries of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea and the liberation of the country.

The new year is a significant year which will witness the 7th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea and a year of historic advance for more strikingly demonstrating the might of Chongryon before the whole world as it grew stronger under the care of the great leaders.

I firmly believe that this significant year Chongryon and Koreans in Japan will firmly defend and glorify the great leaders' idea of Juche-oriented overseas Koreans movement and leadership exploits, consolidate the organization of Chongryon as required by the developing reality, direct great efforts to the national education, intensify the work with Koreans of all social standings including the younger generation and thus bring about bigger successes in ushering in a new heyday of the movement of Koreans in Japan.

I wish Chongryon officials including you and Koreans in Japan good health and happiness of their families, representing the feelings of all people in the homeland on the occasion of the hopeful New Year.