North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expresses his condolences for the death of Fidel Castro at the Cuban embassy in Pyongyang. [Yonhap Photo]
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has expressed his condolences for the death of Fidel Castro when he visited the Cuban embassy in Pyongyang to pay homage, state media said Tuesday.
Kim's visit came on Monday after North Korea declared a three-day mourning period for Castro who died at the age of 90, according to Pyongyang's state-run Korean Central News Agency.
Pyongyang has described Castro as its "close friend and comrade", urging North Koreans to hoist flags at half-mast and pay tribute at designated places.
Kim expressed deep condolences, saying Castro's name and feats would be always remembered, KCNA said, adding the reclusive leader left his message reading "We feel the pain of the loss of the great Comrade".
Pyongyang has maintained close ties with Havana. North Korea and Cuba since they established their diplomatic relationship in 1960. On Monday, a North Korean delegation led by Choe Ryong-hae, a central committee vice chairman, left for Havana to attend Castro's memorial services.
Aju News Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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