Two private South Korean delegations have crossed the heavily fortified border into North Korea to pay respects to its late leader Kim Jong Il.

The wife of the late former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, Lee Hee-ho, center,
and Hyundai Group chairman Hyun Jeong-eun, right, prepare to depart from
the Inter-Korean Transit Terminal from the border village of Paju in the demilitarized zone,
Monday, Dec. 26, 2011.
The delegation were led by the widow of former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, who held a landmark summit with Kim Jong Il in 2000, and Hyundai Group chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun, whose late husband had ties to the North.

South Korea only is allowing the two groups to visit and pay condolences for Mr. Kim's death.

Pyongyang accused Seoul of preventing other South Koreans from crossing the border to pay respects, and suggested the move could strain relations between the two countries.

Preparations are under way for a Wednesday funeral for Mr. Kim, who is said to have died December 17.
Source VOA