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People bring flowers to places associated with memory of Kim Jong Il

The North Korean people, who usually look very composed and calm, give way to tears caused by the great loss

PYONGYANG, December 20 (Itar-Tass) — Mourning ceremonies continue in North Korea following the sudden death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.

Workers of state enterprises, educational establishments gather in front of Kim's portraits to mourn for the North Korean leader who passed away as a result of "great mental and physical strain" that he had endured as a result of continous inspection visits around the country, official reports said.

People have been crowding outside a memorial to the founder of North Korea, Kim Il Sung, in the centre of Pyongyang. The North Korean people, who usually look very composed and calm, give way to tears caused by the great loss. Women have been sobbing to TV cameras of North Korean journalists. Many people have been bringing white flowers - a symbol of mourning, to places associated with the memories of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jung II.

In the meantime life in the North Korean capital is going on. City transport is operating, part of shops are open. The North Korean official news agency KCNA continues it work. On Tuesday, a representative from the Itar-Tass news agency expressed condolences to his North Korean colleagues.

Newspapers have published reports about the death of the 69- year-old Kim Jong Il. North Korean television has been broadcasting a footage of crying people, anchors of news programs have been reading out telegrams of condolences sent from abroad. North Korean radio has been broadcasting information about immortal accomplishments of the late North Korean leader and playing popular patriotic songs.

KCNA news agency reminded of numerous trips around the country which Kim Jin Il made either in a train or in a car to inspect industrial enterprises and agricultural cooperatives for purposes of raising the living standards of the North Korean people. "Despite the bitter loss, the Korean people have General Kim Jong Un" , KCNA said, referring to Kim Jong Il's successor as "the great leader of the party, the army and the people."