ISTANBUL
South Korea Tuesday extended its condolences over the demise of North Korea's former titular head, Kim Yong Nam.
Seoul's Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said in a message that Kim had contributed to the development of inter-Korean ties, according to a press statement.
"I express my condolences upon learning of the passing of former President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly Kim Yong-nam," he said.
Chung also recalled two meetings in Pyongyang, the North’s capital, held with Kim, in 2005 and 2018, where they engaged in "meaningful discussions on peace on the Korean Peninsula and the advancement of inter-Korean relations."
Following treatment for cancer since last June, Kim died from multiple organ failure on Monday.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Tuesday also visited the late Kim's bier to offer condolences alongside with major senior Workers' Party of Korea and government officials, according to Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning Tuesday offered condolences for the late Kim, calling him "an old friend of the Chinese people" and praising his visits to China and the "important contributions" he made for "promoting the development of traditional friendly cooperative relations" between the two sides, according to state-run Global Times.