Pyongyang, December 19 (KCNA) -- The Korean people are stricken with bitter grief upon hearing the sad news that leader Kim Jong Il passed away of a sudden disease on his way of field guidance at 08:30 on December 17. This news of the great loss to the nation came like a bolt from the blue.

All the servicepersons, workers, farmers, intellectuals, youth and students across the country are mourning the demise of Kim Jong Il in reverence, calling him in chocking voices.

Officials of Kim Il Sung Higher Party School, the Ministry of the People's Armed Forces, the Ministry of People's Security, the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, the Cabinet, the Pyongyang City Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and other party, armed forces, power and economic organs, builders of the Mansudae area, workers, agricultural workers, intellectuals, youth and students in the city are shedding tears of grief before the statue of President Kim Il Sung on Mansu Hill.

Anti-Japanese revolutionary fighter Hwang Sun Hui, who came by a tricycle, grieved over the demise of Kim Jong Il, her knees on the stone stairway.

Among people gathering in an endless stream with the passage of time are war veterans and those who grew up to be officials who have led a worthwhile life thanks to the profound comradeship and particular trust of Kim Jong Il.

Heroes, persons of merit, members of the youth league and the children's union are also climbing Mansu Hill, in tears of grief.

The statues of the President at Kim Il Sung University, Kim Il Sung Military University, the Ministry of People's Security, the Pyongyang Students and Children's Palace and other places were also crowded with servicepersons, working people, youth and students.

People's chocking voices calling the General are ceaselessly heard from every place where mosaics depicting President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il are standing, Kim Il Sung Square, the plaza of the Arch of Triumph and other parts of Pyongyang.

Those citizens are weeping bitterly, laying flowers and bouquets before them and looking up to the image of the leader.

Former unconverted long-term prisoners, too, could not stand to their feet, grieving over his demise before the mosaic at the Mansudae Art Studio.

This day, people from all walks of life across the country expressed deep condolences with bitter grief.