Pyongyang, December 22 (KCNA) -- Solemn ceremonies took place at the Korean Hall in Tokyo on Wednesday and Thursday to express deepest condolences on the demise of leader Kim Jong Il.

Present there were Ho Jong Man, chief vice-chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), and its vice-chairmen, Hong In Hum, chairman of the Central Audit Committee of Chongryon, and officials of the Korean Hall.

They laid flowers at the portrait of smiling Kim Jong Il and paid silent tribute in humblest reverence.

The hall turned into a veritable sea of tears as it was overcome with profound grief and unbounded yearning for the kind-hearted father Kim Jong Il who led the Koreans in Japan with warm loving care, his face always beaming with a broad smile.

They renewed their firm determination to overcome sorrow and display fresh strength and courage and bring about a new surge in the movement of Koreans in Japan, single-mindedly united around Kim Jong Un, great successor to the revolutionary cause of Juche and outstanding leader.

Similar ceremonies took place at regional headquarters and branches of Chongryon on Monday and Tuesday.