Pyongyang, December 27 (KCNA) -- Students of Seoul National University of south Korea held a press conference in protest against the university side's dismantlement of an incense-burning altar for mourning the passing of leader Kim Jong Il.

The students of the University set up the incense-burning altar at the university students' hall on Monday.

They displayed at the altar a photo of Kim Jong Il taken with ex-President of south Korea Kim Dae Jung during the historic summit in Pyongyang in June 2000.

They wished to mourn the demise of Kim Jong Il with great sadness over his untimely passing as he was father of the nation and lodestar of national reunification.

But the university side let hooligans forcibly dismantle the altar.

They condemned this reckless action, holding it is an expression of elementary etiquette to set up an incense-burning altar and express condolences.