Pyongyang, December 20 (KCNA) -- Officials of party, armed forces and power bodies, working people's organizations, ministries and national institutions, servicepersons of the Korean People's Army and the chief of the Pyongyang Mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front expressed profound condolences to the bier of leader Kim Jong Il on Tuesday.

The Kumsusan Memorial Palace, the mourning site, was seized with bitter grief over the loss of the father of the nation who performed immortal revolutionary feats before the country, its people, times and history.

A flag was hoisted at half mast at the palace.

The mourners moved to the mourning place in silence, hardly keeping back their bitter grief and sorrow over the demise of Kim Jong Il as he passed away so suddenly and so early, due to his fatigue pent up during his ceaseless revolutionary activities for the accomplishment of the socialist cause, the country's reunification and victory of the world revolution.

Seen before the bier were shoulder straps of the DPRK Marshal, Kim Il Sung Order, Kim Il Sung Prize, medals of the DPRK hero and labor hero and lots of other orders and medals.

Seen beside the bier was a wreath from Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea.

Kim Jong Un was seen standing guard of honor by the sides of the bier together with members of the National Funeral Committee.

Lining up before the bier were flags of the three services of the KPA and the Worker-Peasant Red Guards. Guards of honor were standing there.

Laid before the bier were wreaths in the name of the WPK Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the WPK, the DPRK National Defence Commission, the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme Assembly and the DPRK Cabinet.

Also laid there were wreaths in the name of the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, the Ministry of People's Security, the State Planning Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Supreme Court, the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office, the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, the C.C., General Federation of Trade Unions, KPA units and others.

Written on the ribbons of the wreaths were letters reading "We Honor the Memory of the Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il with Humblest Reverence", "The Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il Will Always Be with Us" and "The Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il Will Be Immortal".

Officials of party, armed forces and power bodies, working people's organizations, ministries and national institutions and servicepersons paid silent tribute, looking up to the lofty image of Kim Jong Il.