Pyongyang, December 30 (KCNA) -- A solemn memorial service of Koreans in Japan for leader Kim Jong Il took place at the Korean Hall of Culture in Tokyo, Japan on December 29.

At least 10 000 men and women of all ages in Kanto packed the venue of the memorial service.

Attending the service were officials of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) including Ho Jong Man, chief vice-chairman of the Chongryon Central Standing Committee who is vice-chairman of the Central Memorial Committee, members of the committee and compatriots.

All the participants paid silent tribute to Kim Jong Il.

Ho Jong Man said in a mourning address that Kim Jong Il lived a life full of grim tempests of the times which no other great man of the world has ever experienced.

He noted that all the officials of Chongryon and Koreans in Japan would look up to Kim Jong Il as the immortal sun of the nation and benevolent teacher of Chongryon for all ages with unshakable faith and noble moral obligation.

He vowed that Chongryon would consolidate the single-minded unity of its ranks with the dear respected Kim Jong Un as the centre of unity and leadership.

The participants laid flowers before the portrait of smiling Kim Jong Il in humblest reverence.

Solemn memorial services for Kim Jong Il also took place at the headquarters of Chongryon in Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Fukuoka and Hokkaido Prefectures on the same day.