Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- Organizations of Ecuador released a joint statement on December 26 on the demise of leader Kim Jong Il.

They included the Committee for Supporting Korea's Independent and Peaceful Reunification, the Cultural Institute for the Study of the Juche Idea, the Canar Provincial Institute for the Friendship and Solidarity with DPRK and the Ecuador-Guaranda Institute for Friendship and Cultural Solidarity with the Korean People.

The statement said that the whole life of Kim Jong Il was that of a great leader who devoted all his heart and soul and energy to the happiness of the Korean people, national reunification and global independence.

It expressed belief that the Korean people would overcome the present great loss of the nation, firmly defend the dignity of the country and achieve greater successes in building a prosperous and powerful country, upholding the guidance of the dear respected Kim Jong Un as desired by Kim Jong Il.

The Bulgaria-Korea Friendship Association, Kim Il Sung Library in Sofia, the Bulgarian Committee for Supporting Korea's Reunification and the Bulgarian Group for the Study of the Juche Idea also issued a joint statement on December 27.

Comrade Kim Jong Il will always live in our hearts as a great revolutionary and leader who clearly showed the road ahead of the progressive humankind, holding higher the red flag of the revolution in the grimmest period of world changes, the statement said.

It expressed firm belief that under the leadership of Kim Jong Un the Korean people would turn their sorrow into strength and accomplish to the last the revolutionary cause of Juche started by President Kim Il Sung and carried forward by Kim Jong Il.