In response to question from the media concerning Viet Nam’s reaction to the demise of DPRK leader Kim Jong Il, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi on December 19th stated:
“We express our deepest condolences to the Party, State and people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea over the demise of Comrade Kim Jong Il, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, Chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army. We believe that the Korean people will overcome this great loss to continue their national construction and development.”