Pyongyang, December 20 (KCNA) -- Upon hearing the sad news of sudden demise of leader Kim Jong Il, servicepersons, working people from all walks of life and school youth and children of the DPRK have visited mourning sites across the country to express deep condolences in the bitterest grief.

Those mourning sites were set up at units of the Korean People's Army and the Korean People's Internal Security Forces and institutions, industrial establishments, farms and schools. Among them are the Anju Area Coal Mining Complex, Pukchang Thermal-power Complex, Songjin Steel Complex, February 8 Vinalon Complex, Huichon Ryonha General Machinery Plant, Pyongyang Textile Machine Plant, the Migok Co-op Farm in Sariwon City and Kim Il Sung University.

The sites were engulfed in bitter grief at the great loss of the nation.

Laid before the portraits of Kim Jong Il at the mourning sites were wreaths in the name of KPA units, institutions, industrial establishments, co-op farms, schools and others.

Written on the ribbons of the wreaths were such letters as reading: "We mourn the great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il in most humble reverence", "The great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il will always be with us" and "May the great revolutionary feats of respected Comrade Kim Jong Il shine for all ages".

The mourners writhed in the bitter grief at the fact that Kim Jong Il, the great leader of the Workers' Party of Korea and the people and tender-hearted father, passed away so suddenly and early to their deep regret.

They remained long at the mourning places, lamenting with the pricks of the failure to provide the leader even a moment's rest and with sorrow at his demise.