Pyongyang, December 21 (KCNA) -- The "Forum for Peace on the Korean Peninsula", a civic organization of south Korea, issued a statement for mourning the demise of leader Kim Jong Il Tuesday.

The statement expressed deep condolences over the sudden demise of Kim Jong Il and extended consolation to the compatriots in the north engulfed in grief.

Kim Jong Il made total dedication to develop the north-south relations of distrust and confrontation into those of reconciliation and cooperation through the adoption of the June 15 joint declaration and the October 4 declaration, it said.

It contended that the "government" should express condolences and send mourners' group to the north.