North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent a message to the Unification Church, marking the first anniversary of the death of its founder Rev. Moon Sun-myung.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that in the message, Kim prayed for Moon, who worked hard for national unity, prosperity and reunification and world peace. Kim also hoped the bereaved family members would continue with Moon's work.

The North Korean leader gave a couple of rare North Korean Poongsan dogs as birthday gifts to the late South Korean reverend in February. The church showed the dogs off to the public on Friday.