Pyongyang, December 27 (KCNA) -- Events took place at regional headquarters and branches of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) in different parts of Japan to mourn the demise of leader Kim Jong Il.

Memorial services were held by Chongryon regional headquarters in Tokyo Metropolis, Hokkaido, Hyogo and Saitama prefectures and by its West Ikuno, Osaka Prefecture, branch, Adachi, Tokyo Metropolis, branch and Seibu branch under the Chiba Prefectural Headquarters.

At the services Chongryon officials and compatriots paid a silent tribute to the memory of Kim Jong Il.

The participants recalled with deep emotion the great life of Kim Jong Il who devoted his all to the development of Chongryon, a precious patriotic legacy of President Kim Il Sung, and the movement of Koreans in Japan and the accomplishment of the revolutionary cause of Juche.

They made their firm resolution to turn their sorrow into strength and courage and open up a new heyday of the movement of Koreans in Japan, true to the leadership of the dear respected Kim Jong Un, great successor to the revolutionary cause of Juche, as wished by Kim Jong Il.