Pyongyang, December 27 (KCNA) -- Personages of various countries called at the DPRK missions between Dec. 20 and 23 to express heartfelt sympathy over the passing of leader Kim Jong Il.

They included those from the Socialist Party of Romania, the Communist Party of Germany, the Anti-Imperialist Forum of Germany, the Federal Republic of Germany-DPRK Association, the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ethiopian Youth Study Group of the Juche Idea, the Addis Ababa Youth Association of Ethiopia, the International Taekwon-Do Association in Ethiopia, Medical College of University of Addis Ababa, the Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence of Switzerland, the Sankt Poelten City Committee of the Social Democratic Party of Austria, the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Affairs Institute of Austria.

They laid wreaths, floral baskets and bouquets before portraits of Kim Jong Il and expressed deep condolences over his demise.

The general secretary of the Socialist Party of Romania said the passing of Kim Jong Il was a great loss and sadness not only to Korean people but to the world progressives.

The party will always remember his great exploits and iron faith and pluck of never yielding to any power as they serve as nutritious element that instills confidence and courage into everybody aspiring after socialism, the general secretary added.

The vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Germany and the international secretary of the Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland expressed their expectation that the Korean people would rise up to overcome sorrow and surely accomplish the cause of Kim Jong Il under the leadership of Comrade Kim Jong Un.