PYONGYANG, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), on Monday sent a message of condolence to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the death of Russian Ambassador to the DPRK Alexandr Matsegora, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Tuesday.

In the message, Kim expressed deep condolences to Putin, the leadership of the Russian Federation and the bereaved family on behalf of the DPRK government and on his own behalf "over the sudden demise" of Matsegora, who passed away on Saturday, said the report.

"The sudden demise of the ambassador at the present time when the development of relations between the DPRK and Russia has entered a crucial historic phase is indeed a heartrending event and a great loss not only to the Russian government and people but also to me and the DPRK people," Kim was quoted as saying.

Kim expressed deep sympathy to the Russian embassy over the death of Matsegora, the report said.

Choe Son Hui, foreign minister of the DPRK, on Monday sent a message of condolence to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov over the death of Matsegora, the KCNA said in another report on Tuesday. Enditem