Speakers at the meeting said they saw for themselves compatriots in the north expressing deep condolences over the demise of Kim Jong Il, chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission, while staying in the homeland.

The compatriots in the north felt so painful when recalling that Kim Jong Il demised on a train while making a high intensity forced march for field guidance, having uncomfortable sleep and taking rice balls, they said, adding such solemn atmosphere of mourning in the north could hardly be seen in any other parts of the world.

They said they could clearly know that Kim Jong Il's idea of loving people resulted in forming a harmonious whole and achieving the single-minded unity in the north.

They said they more keenly realized that Kim Jong Il performed immortal feats in carrying out the cause of Juche revolution, building a thriving nation and achieving the country's reunification and successfully settled the issue of inheriting the revolutionary cause.

They said they were encouraged to see compatriots in the north renewing their pledge to turn out in the building of a thriving nation by converting their great sorrow into thousand-fold strength and courage.

They stressed that they were struck with admiration at the meticulous care shown by Kim Jong Un, the new leader of the north, for overseas compatriots during the mourning period.