Pyongyang, December 20 (KCNA) -- The People for Achieving Peace and Reunification, a civic organization of south Korea, issued a statement to mourn the demise of leader Kim Jong Il on Monday.

The statement said:

We express deep condolences over the sudden demise of the top leader of the north of a sudden illness. We extend our sympathy to all the compatriots in the north overwhelmed with the bitterest sorrow.

The exploits and efforts of Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission Kim Jong Il who made public the historic June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration, thus providing a landmark for the country's reunification, will always go down in the history of the nation.