Sierra Leone mourns with Korea on death of Kim Jong-il

Beijing, China- Sierra Leone, through its Embassy in Beijing, China, on Thursday, December 22^nd joined other countries around the world in mourning the death of the Leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Jong-il the late Korean Leader died on Saturday, 17th December and he reportedly died as a result of “great mental and physical strain” in a train during a field inspection.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is among the eight countries that the Sierra Leone Embassy in China is accredited to. Signing the Book of Condolence on behalf of the Government and people of Sierra Leone, Acting Head of Mission, Sierra Leone Embassy in Beijing, China, Paul A. Minah wrote, that the death of the DPRK Leader is a sad day for the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Mr. Paul Minah described Korea as a friend of Sierra Leone and a country that has been helping Sierra Leone in the area of agriculture, especially during the days of late President Dr. Siaka P. Stevens and Dr. Joseph Saidu Momoh. Serra Leone entered into diplomatic relationship with Korea in 1971 the very year, Sierra Leone was also declared a republic and then President Siaka Stevens becoming an Executive President.

At a brief but solemn ceremony at the Embassy of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in Beijing, China, the Acting Head of Mission, Mr. Paul Minah, conveyed Sierra Leone’s message of sympathy to the government and people of North Korea over the death of their Leader.

Since the death of the 69 years old North Korean Leader about a week ago, there have been days of mourning in Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital. In Beijing-China, a country that is a trusted friend of North Korea, the DPKR’s flag has been lowered to half-mast. The CHINADAILY newspaper of Tuesday, 21^st December reported, that the late DPRK Leader was a “frequent visitor to China, visiting twice this year alone, most recently in August when he stopped off while returning from Russia.” China believes the friendship that has existed between the countries will be for a long-term. The country expressed “great shock…” upon hearing of the death of the North Korean Leader, according to the CHINADAILY newspaper.

Earlier on Wednesday, 21^st December, the Second Secretary at the Embassy, Dr. Philip Kargbo, also on behalf of the Government and people of Sierra Leone signed the Book of Condolence in the Embassy of the Czech Republic, following death of that country’s former President, Vaclav Havel.

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