Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- The Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the demise of leader Kim Jong Il on Dec. 19.

The government and people of Bangladesh express deep condolences over the sudden demise of Kim Jong Il, supreme leader of the DPRK, the statement said.

Bangladesh has always been with the leadership of the DPRK and its people, it said, adding Bangladeshi President Zillur Rahman sent a condolence message to Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea Kim Jong Un, successor to Kim Jong Il.

Rashed Khan Menon, chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Bangladesh, also issued a statement on Dec. 20 to express deep condolences over the demise of Kim Jong Il.

He was the great leader of the Korean people and a close friend of the Bangladeshi people, the statement noted.

It expressed conviction that the army and people of the DPRK would overcome sorrow and display strength and courage united in single mind and thus register great successes in their efforts for building a thriving socialist nation.