North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has sent a telegram of condolences over the death of Chung Ju-yung.

According to Radio Pyongyang, Kim said in the telegram that he was deeply saddened at the death of Chung who contributed to inter-Korean reconciliation, cooperation and national unity.

In the years before his death, Chung visited Pyongyang three times and discussed joint economic projects with the North Korean leader.

This is the first time that the North Korean leader has sent condolences over the death of a South Korean citizen. His late father, Kim Il-sung, sent a condolence message when the Reverend Moon Ik-hwan, a South Korean unification activist, died in 1994.

Meanwhile, a South Korean official said North Korea would send a condolence delegation Saturday. The four-member delegation headed by Song Ho-kyung, vice chairman of North Korea's Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, will visit Chung's residence in Chungwoondong in central Seoul to pay respects to the deceased tycoon.

Hyundai officials said North Korean officials have mourned the death of Chung at an altar set up in Pyongyang and Mount Kumgang.