Pyongyang, December 20 (KCNA) -- A spokesman for the Vietnamese foreign ministry expressed condolences over the demise of leader Kim Jong Il on Monday.

He said:

We express the deepest condolences to the party and state and the people of the DPRK over the demise of Kim Jong Il, supreme leader of the DPRK.

It is our belief that the people of the DPRK will overcome the sorrow over the great loss and continue to work hard for the construction and development of the country.