First birthday gift

SEOUL, Feb. 13 Kyodo

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il on Wednesday received a congratulatory message and three horses as gift from Russian President Vladimir Putin in honor of his upcoming birthday, North Korea's state media said.

Putin sent a senior official of the Russian Agriculture Ministry to escort the horses to Pyongyang, North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

Kim, who turns 61 on Sunday, received the horses and Putin's congratulatory message at a ceremony held at the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang.

Other North Korean officials who attended the ceremony included Jo Myong Rok, head of the general political department of the Korean People's Army, Kim Yong Chun, chief of the general staff, three secretaries of the ruling Workers' Party -- Kim Kuk Thae, Kim Yong Sun and Kim Ki Nam -- and First Vice Foreign Minister Kang Sok Ju, KCNA said.

Kim Jong Il also visited the Russian Embassy in January and March last year.