Pyongyang, December 20 (KCNA) -- The Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) sent a message of condolences to Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, over the demise of leader Kim Jong Il on Tuesday.

Noting that his life was the most brilliant life of a great revolutionary and peerless patriot who devoted his all to the country and its people, the message went on:

He was a genius of creation who brought to the homeland the period of prosperity, the first of its kind in the history of the nation spanning 5 000 years with his brilliant wisdom and superhuman energy.

Kim Jong Il was the father of the nation and loadstar of national reunification who ushered in the June 15 era of reunification in which the noble idea of "By our nation itself" is coming true.

He was defender of socialism and staunch anti-imperialist fighter who conducted energetic external activities, thereby remarkably raising the international prestige of the DPRK and making an undying contribution to accomplishing the human cause of independence.

He was the great leader of Chongryon and very kind-hearted father who carved out the happiness of Koreans in Japan and future of posterity.

All Chongryon officials and Koreans in Japan will overcome bitter tears and sorrow with courage and carry on the movement of Koreans in Japan as wished by Kim Jong Il.

We will build Chongryon into a mighty overseas Koreans organization which upholds with loyalty the leadership of Kim Jong Un.