The Korea Herald

소아쌤

N. Korea extends condolences to Singapore over Lee's death

By KH디지털2

Published : March 24, 2015 - 09:46

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North Korea has sent a message of condolence to Singapore over the death of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, calling him "a close friend" of the communist country, the North's official news agency said Tuesday.

The message sent by Premier Pak Pong-ju Monday to Singapore's incumbent Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong "expressed the deepest condolences to the prime minister and the bereaved families," the (North) Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a brief English report.

"Lee Kuan Yew, founder of the Republic of Singapore and a close friend of Korean people, passed away to their sorrow," the KCNA report noted.

The two countries forged diplomatic relations in 1975 and have since had relatively active bilateral exchanges.

Highly credited for his role in guiding Singapore into affluence, Lee died on Monday at the age of 91.(Yonhap)