Seoul: Unification Minister Chung Dong-young expressed his condolences on Tuesday over the passing of Kim Yong-nam, the former titular head of North Korea.

According to Yonhap News Agency, North Korea's state media announced that Kim, who was the former chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly, passed away the previous day due to multiple organ failure related to cancer. Kim had been suffering from colorectal cancer since June of the previous year.

In a message released to the press, Chung stated, "I express my condolences over the death of Kim," while also offering solace to Kim's bereaved family and North Korean officials.