When an important report on the untimely demise of Kim Jong Il was announced at noon of Dec. 19, 2011, the whole world was wrapped in mourning over the great loss, the detailed report said, and went on:

Just after they heard the sad news, the Chinese party and government sent a message to the Workers' Party of Korea and the government of the DPRK to express their deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to all the Korean people.

The dear respected Kim Jong Un received a condolatory message from Russian President Medvedev expressing his deep condolences and a similar message from former U.S. President Carter.

During the mourning period more than 3 000 condolence messages came from heads of party, state and government, political parties and social organizations and high-ranking officials of political, public, military and economic circles in at least 120 countries, including China, Russia, Cuba, Syria, Cambodia, Nepal, Ethiopia, Nicaragua and Mexico, and representatives of international bodies, Juche idea study organizations and friendship and solidarity organizations.

Wreaths were sent to the bier of Kim Jong Il by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress, the State Council of China, the National Committee for the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the Central Military Commission of the CPC.

Laid at the bier of Kim Jong Il and his smiling portrait displayed at Kim Il Sung Square of the DPRK and his portraits at DPRK missions abroad were more than 4 100 wreaths and floral baskets carrying deep reverence of heads of party, state and government, political parties, institutions and organizations and personages of many countries.

Governments, political parties, institutions and organizations of different countries, international organizations and personages issued statements one after another on the passing of Kim Jong Il.

Memorial services of various forms took place in many countries and at international organizations.

Incumbent and former heads of state and governments, representatives of heads of state, party leaders, delegations of parties, governments, parliaments and social organizations, diplomatic envoys and personages of different social standings paid condolatory visits to DPRK missions in relevant countries and at international organizations.

A large number of prominent figures, including the chairman of the Italy-Korea Cultural Association and the president of the "Korea Association" of the United States and diplomatic envoys of different countries sent e-mails, FAX, letters and telephone calls to the DPRK missions to express deep condolences.

Cuba and Thailand declared morning periods.

Flags were hoisted at half-mast at the United Nations Headquarters, the UN Office at Geneva and other buildings of UN organizations. The World Food Programme hoisted its flags at half-mast in the garden of its building as well as on its roof, for the first time in its history out of the usual practice.

Various countries and regional bodies held memorial services for Kim Jong Il in solemn atmosphere after forming their mourning committees.

Even a country which has no diplomatic relations with the DPRK took a step of suspending the planned live-shell firing and missile launching drill as an expression of condolences.

At least 10 000 media of more than 150 countries and regions promptly reported about the events of mourning over the demise of Kim Jong Il and gave special write-ups to them every day, breaking the precedent in reporting about mourning the death of any state leader.

On Dec. 19 and 20, two days alone, TVs of 100 odd countries aired special programs on his demise.

In Russia 150 odd leading news services, newspapers, radios and Internet homepages reported those mourning events more than 3 500 times.

Xinhua news, Central TV, People's Daily and other media in the capital and localities of China reported in detail about the mourning situation.

Not only media but also political and public personages of many countries and international organizations recognized Kim Jong Un, supreme leader of the WPK and the people of the DPRK, as the great successor to the revolutionary cause of Juche and praised his greatness while praying for the immortality of Kim Jong Il.