Pyongyang, February 24 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a reply message to Bashar Al-Assad, president of the Syrian Arab Republic, on February 22.

In the message, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un expressed deep thanks to the Syrian president for sending warm congratulations and best wishes to him on the occasion of the 81st birth anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il.

Being convinced that the traditional relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries will invariably develop, he wished that the government and people of the Syrian Arab Republic would eradicate the aftermath of the earthquake damage as soon as possible and make achievements in their struggle for the independent development and territorial integrity of the country under the correct leadership of the president. -0-