SEOUL - 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, Yonhap news agency reported on Tuesday.

The message was sent by Premier Pak Pong Ju on Monday to Singapore's incumbent Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Yonhap reported, citing the North's official Korean Central News Agency.

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

Mr Pak "expressed the deepest condolences to the prime minister and the bereaved families," it added.

Singapore and North Korea forged diplomatic relations in 1975.