THE whole city of Pyongyang sank into deep sorrow yesterday following the announcement of the death of top leader Kim Jong Il.

    Xinhua reporters saw a large number of people, including students, gather in front of a bronze statue of North Korean founder Kim Il Sung in central Pyongyang to mourn the death of Kim Jong Il.

    In a sorrowful atmosphere, they queued to walk up the steps to the bronze statue to express grief. Some laid wreaths at the statue. Some burst into tears. Some women even fainted and fell to the ground.

    Some restaurants and shops were closed, while vehicles and pedestrians in the streets were significantly fewer than usual. National flags were hoisted at half-mast in government institutions and schools.

    Inside Kim Il Sung University, teachers and students laid wreaths at a bronze statue of Kim Il Sung. Some students locked themselves in the dormitories and were heard crying loudly inside.

    Meanwhile, North Korea has requested all forthcoming foreign delegations to cancel their trips. Some companies operating there have been asked to send their visitors back in a week.

    Earlier in the day, a tearful woman presenter of North Korea’s state TV, dressed in black, announced the death of Kim Jong Il in a choked voice. TV channels stopped regular programs to broadcast the news of Kim’s death.

    (Xinhua)