Comrade Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a reply message to Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, on April 17.

The message said:

I express deep thanks for your warm congratulations and best wishes to me on my re-election as chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK.

Your congratulations are powerful support and encouragement to the struggle of our Party, state and people for building a powerful socialist country.

The recent meaningful meeting with you became a solid foundation to put on a new high level the DPRK-Vietnam friendship which was forged and consolidated by the preceding leaders of the two countries.

I am grateful to you for having sent an art troupe of high repute to give a distinguished and excellent art performance and deeply impress our people true to your promise, and renew the mind to actively propel the friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Vietnam desired by the peoples of the two countries.

Availing myself of this opportunity, I express the belief that traditional friendly and cooperative relations between our two parties, two countries and two peoples grow stronger in accomplishing the common cause for socialism in the future, too.

I sincerely wish you good health and bigger success in your responsible work for the development of the party and prosperity of the country.