Pyongyang, December 25 (KCNA) -- Authorized by the Ethiopian president, Haile-Mariam Dessalegn, Ethiopian deputy prime minister and concurrently foreign minister, Thursday paid a condolatory visit to the DPRK embassy in Addis Ababa on the demise of leader Kim Jong Il. He was accompanied by officials concerned including the director-general for Asia of the foreign ministry.

They expressed deep condolences before the portrait of Kim Jong Il.

He noted that the president wished to visit the DPRK embassy himself to express condolences but he could not do so due to severe spasm of chest pain, shocked by the sad news which came like a bolt from the blue.

He continued: The president authorized me to go to the DPRK embassy quickly to express condolences on his behalf.

I believe the DPRK will overcome the present sorrow and continue to advance under the leadership of HE Kim Jong Un.