Pyongyang, December 26 (KCNA) -- Delegations of mourners of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) paid respects to the portrait of smiling leader Kim Jong Il at Kim Il Sung Square here on Monday.

They are delegation of officials of Chongryon led by Hwang Myong, chairman of its Tokyo Metropolitan Headquarters, delegation of young officials of Chongryon led by Kim Cha Dol, chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the Korean Youth League in Japan, delegation of officials of the Korean Democratic Women's Union in Japan led by Kwon Kyong Ae, vice-chairwoman of its Central Standing Committee, delegation of Chongryon educational officials led by Ha Thae Hong, director of the Hagu Bookshop, and delegation of literary artists and athletes of Chongryon led by Pak Jong Sang, permanent advisor of the Union of Korean Writers and Artists in Japan.

The delegations laid bouquets and flowers before the portrait and paid a silent tribute in deep mourning over the demise of Kim Jong Il.

They arrived here on the same day.