Pyongyang, December 19 (KCNA) -- The sad news that leader Kim Jong Il passed away of a sudden illness on his way of field guidance was reported at this noon in the DPRK.

No sooner had the sad news been reported than the people in Kangwon Province visited the statue of President Kim Il Sung in their hometown to express great sorrow and grief over the loss of the sun of the nation.

Pak Yon Chun, 55, chairwoman of the management board of the co-op farm in the Township of Anbyon County, said:

"Shortly ago we watched TV showing Kim Jong Il greatly pleased to give field guidance to the Hana Music Information Center and the Kwangbok Area Supermarket and sincerely wished him good health and safety.

Words fail to express our sorrow at the above-said news which came like a bolt from the blue. We feel as if the sky were falling down and the land were sinking.

We can't believe our father Kim Jong Il passed away.

Kim Jong Il passed away to our sorrow before seeing the victory in the drive for building a thriving nation, his great desire, but we are under respected Kim Jong Un identical to him.

Kim Jong Un's leadership provides a sure guarantee for successfully carrying forward the revolutionary cause of Juche through generations, the cause which was started by the President and led by Kim Jong Il to victory".

Kim Nam Il, 36, teacher of Wonsan University of Fisheries, vowed to eternally hold Kim Jong Il in high esteem and defend and glorify his undying revolutionary feats, united close around Kim Jong Un.

The army and people of the DPRK will weather the present difficulties by overcoming sorrow and displaying fresh strength and courage and struggle more staunchly for the great victory of the Juche revolution under the leadership of Kim Jong Un.