PYONGYANG, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), sent a birthday congratulation to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Sunday, the official KCNA news agency said.

    "I wish you good health and happiness and successes in your responsible work for the prosperity of the country," Kim Jong Il said in the message.

    Kim was absent at Tuesday's 60th national day ceremony.

    According to the official media, he inspected the DPRK army in mid August.