Kim Jong-Il offers condolences to late Hyundai founder`s family

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il sent a telegram expressing his condolences to the bereaved family members of the late Hyundai Group founder Chung Ju-Yung, North Korean news media reported Friday.

It was the first time the North Korean National Defense Commission chairman had offered condolences for the death of a South Korean. Radio Pyongyang and the Central Broadcasting Station reported that the telegram said, ``I express my sincere condolences to the Hyundai Group and bereaved family members at the passing of Chung Ju-Yung, who contributed to efforts to promote inter-Korean reconciliation, cooperation, the grand unity of the people, national unification and patriotism.``

In January 1994, the late Kim Il-Sung, former president of North Korea and father of Kim Jong-Il, offered condolences by telegram for the death of the Rev. Moon Ik-Hwan. The telegram said, ``Pastor Moon`s death is a great loss to Korea.``

[Yonhap]