Pyongyang, December 26 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the ITAR-TASS of Russia led by its Deputy Director-General Golayev visited the DPRK embassy in Moscow on Monday to express condolences over the demise of leader Kim Jong Il.

The delegation paid silent tribute to Kim Jong Il before his portrait.

The deputy director-general expressed his most profound condolences to the Korean people.

He said: Comrade Kim Jong Il performed great exploits for the world peace and security and the development of the friendly relations between the two countries.

His answers to questions put by our agency twice created lively response not only in Russia but in the world and made a great contribution to the peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the rest of the world.

The director-general of the ITAR-TASS and all its journalists and editors are confident that the Korean people will overcome the present sorrow, true to the leadership of supreme leader Comrade Kim Jong Un, and surely build a thriving nation desired by Comrade Kim Jong Il in his lifetime.