Top DPRK leader receives reply from Syrian president

PYONGYANG - Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), has received a reply from Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Friday.

The message, which Kim received on Tuesday, expressed thanks to Kim for extending a message of congratulations and good wishes on the occasion of Syria's independence day, the KCNA said.

The message expressed the belief that the historic relations between the two countries would grow stronger in line with the common interests of the peoples of the two friendly nations, it said.

It also wished Kim good health and the DPRK people prosperity.

Kim had earlier sent a message on April 22 to Al-Assad to thank him for his note on the 108th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il-sung, founder of the DPRK and grandfather of Kim Jong-un.