It has been six days since the death of DPRK leader Kim Jong Il, and people across the DPRK are continuing to commemorate and pay condolences to the man who led their nation for 14 years.

Kim Jong Il died of heart failure on Saturday, while on a train journey. In an exclusive story, one of CCTV's reporters has been to visit a new department store in the DPRK capital Pyongyang -- where Kim Jong Il made his final public appearance.

Retracing the steps of the late leader – This brand new department store in Pyongyang is where Kim Jong-il made his last public appearance.

The staff stand ready in their uniforms - as they did when they greeted the late leader. This picture of Kim on the escalator was taken just after his inspection.

The store's manager, Kim Ying Yu, remembers showing Kim Jong Il around the aisles. The memories are still vivid.

Kim Ying Yu, a store manager, said, "General Kim Jong Il saw this. He said these pans are really nice and housewives will need them."

The store was scheduled to open for business on Thursday. The shelves were ready to go -- packed with food, groceries, garments, electronics and appliances.

But the sudden death of Kim Jong Il on Saturday sent the staff into deep sorrow, and the opening has been delayed.

But they're continuing to prepare for customers, amid the grief - and in honour of the late leader.

Kim Ying Yu, a store manager, said, "We will follow his instructions. As you see, we are encouraged to work harder. We are cleaning up the whole place to hang up the board and start operation as soon as possible. When he was inspecting, it was very cold in here. So we will also improve the heating system."

With the memory of Kim Jong Il's visit still fresh in their minds, these staff are quietly getting ready to open the store - and a new chapter in the history of their country.

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