Pyongyang, December 21 (KCNA) -- Narayan Kaj Shrestha, deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Nepal, on Tuesday visited the DPRK embassy in Katmandu to express condolences over the passing away of leader Kim Jong Il.

After laying a floral basket before the portrait of Kim Jong Il, the foreign minister expressed deep sympathy.

The unexpected demise of Kim Jong Il gives the great sorrow to not only the Workers' Party of Korea and the Korean people but also the Nepalese people and other progressives the world over, he said, adding:

His Excellency Kim Jong Il was the great leader of the Korean people and a prominent leader of the international labor movement and socialist movement.

We hope that the WPK and the Korean people would overcome their sorrow and vigorously advance along the road of socialism pioneered by President Kim Il Sung and led to victory by Kim Jong Il despite ordeal and trial.

We express deep condolences to the WPK and the Korean people over the passing away of Kim Jong Il.