Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea received messages of condolences from Sergei Stanishev, chairman of the National Council of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, the general secretary of the Mongolian People's Party and A.B.Bardhan, general secretary of the National Council of the Communist Party of India, on Dec. 20 on the demise of leader Kim Jong Il.

Expressing the most profound sorrow over his demise, the messages expressed belief that the Korean people would overcome the grief with strength and courage and weather the present difficulties.