N. Korea's Kim tells Lao president bilateral friendship will further advance

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, shakes hands with Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith in Pyongyang, Oct. 7, as the Lao leader visited the North to attend celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party of Korea, in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency, Oct. 8. Yonhap

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has told Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith that the friendship between the two countries will continue to advance across all sectors, in a recent message to him, the North's state media reported Wednesday.

Kim delivered the message in a letter sent to the Lao president on Sunday, in response to his congratulatory telegram marking the recent 80th anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

"I express confidence that the friendly and cooperative relations between our two parties and the two countries, which have a long-standing history and tradition, will further strengthen and advance across all sectors," Kim was quoted as saying.

Kim also wished the Lao president "great success" in his work.

The Lao president was among the foreign state leaders and senior officials who attended celebratory events in Pyongyang to mark the Oct. 10 party anniversary.

During his trip to North Korea, the Lao president held talks with Kim, agreeing to strengthen bilateral cooperation.