Vietnamese State President and Chairman of the National Defence and Security Council Truong Tan Sang on Dec. 20 extended condolences to DPR Korea’s Defence Commission over the death of its Chairman and General Secretary of the Workers’ Party Kim Jong-il.

The same day, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh sent a message of sympathy to his DPRK counterpart Park Ui Chun.

On Dec. 21, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Party Military Central Commission and Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh led a Defence Ministry delegation to pay tribute to Kim Jong-il at the DPK Korea embassy in Hanoi .

Tran Dai Quang, Politburo member and Minister of Public Security and Tran Van Hang, Chairman of the National Assembly External Relations Committee also paid tribute.

In a mourning book for Kim, the delegations extended deep condolences over the death of Kim Jong-il, General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Chairman of the National Defence Commission, Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army, and a close friend of the Vietnamese people and army.

They said they believe that the Party and people of the DPRK will overcome their great loss and sorrow to continue to make the country the one of peace and prosperity.

Earlier, Chairman of the Presidential Office Dao Viet Trung paid tribute to Kim Jong-il.

Tributes to Kim Jong-il at the DPR Korea embassy will last until Dec. 27.

The same day, Defence Minister, General Phung Quang Thanh sent a message of sympathy to Vice Marshal Kim Il Chul, Minister of DPR Korea People’s Armed Forces./.