High-ranking officials of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), including its top leader Kim Jong-il, sent wreaths Monday to the Palestinian embassy to extend deep condolences over the death of its leader Yasser Arafat.

Kim Yong-nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly paid a silent tribute to the late leader after presenting a wreath to the embassy.

He met Palestinian Ambassador to the DPRK Shaher Mohammed Abdlah and expressed deep condolences to the Palestinian people.

Many diplomatic envoys, representatives of international organizations and officials of foreign embassies to the DPRK also visited the Palestinian embassy to offer their condolences.

Kim once called Arafat a close friend of the Korean people. According to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Arafat visited the DPRK six times between October 1981 and June 1993. He was awarded "Hero of the DPRK" during his first trip to the DPRK.

The KCNA also reported that flags will be flown at half mast at some DPRK institutions between Monday and Wednesday to mourn Arafat's death.

Arafat died early Thursday morning at a French military hospital at the age of 75.