Pyongyang, December 20 (KCNA) -- The people in South Hamgyong Province are now stricken with deep grief, upon hearing the sad news that leader Kim Jong Il passed away of a sudden illness on his way to field guidance.

They are now mourning his demise with bitter grief, picturing to themselves the image of kind-hearted Kim Jong Il who visited various places of the province shortly ago to indicate an orientation and ways for putting on a fresh higher phase the overall economic work including the production of vinalon and fertilizers, geothermal equipment, varieties of custom-built facilities, mineral and nonferrous metals, fruit and grain.

Pak Chol, 42, worker of the February 8 Vinalon Complex, said:

"Kim Jong Il worked out a blueprint himself and worked heart and soul to put it into practice, leading the modernization of factories and enterprises which had been left no better than debris. Yet, he highly commended the workers there for the feats and bestowed the highest honor upon them. He was, indeed, a tender-hearted father."

He vowed to creditably play the role of vanguard and shock brigade in letting the torch lit by Kim Jong Il in South Hamgyong Province rage with greater force, bearing deep in mind the profound trust he reposed in them by helping them perform exploits and emerge innovators and making them well known throughout the country.

Jo U Jae, 30, workshop head of the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex, said: "The news was so shocking and unbelievable that I looked up to the image of tender-hearted Kim Jong Il in tears. I renew my firm will to turn out with courage for the accomplishment of the cause of Kim Jong Il."

"General Kim Jong Un represents our destiny and future. We are now fully confident of the future as we are led by Kim Jong Un."

Jang Un Sol, 42, work-team leader of the Tongbong Co-op Farm in Hamju County, said:

"I can never forget the image of smiling Kim Jong Il who visited my farm, clearly indicating the way to be followed by it and leading it with warm care. I pledge myself to bring about a fresh boost in agricultural production and thus thoroughly implement his behests."

The people from all walks of life in South Hamgyong Province are firmly convinced that under the leadership of Kim Jong Un the revolutionary advance of the Workers' Party, the army and the people of Korea will go on in the future, too.