Pyongyang, December 21 (KCNA) -- The army and people of the DPRK are seized with the bitterest grief over the greatest loss to the nation but they are now rising up to the hard time, holding back tears, to push forward the drive to build a thriving nation.

Anyone who visits the construction site in Mansudae area of Pyongyang can easily see the might of Korea overcoming the bitterest sorrow and displaying redoubled strength and courage to rise up in unity.

Construction continued even on Monday evening, the day when the sad news about leader Kim Jong Il's demise struck the nation.

Han Yun Chol, 45, soldier of the Korean People's Internal Security Forces, said:

We were saddened to hear the shocking news of the sudden demise of Supreme Commander Kim Jong Il but we braced ourselves up with determined will.

We, servicepersons of the Korean People's Internal Security Forces, firmly pledge ourselves to devotedly defend Vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea Kim Jong Un by overcoming today's sorrow and displaying redoubled strength and courage.

Song Hyok Chol, 22, soldier of the Korean People's Internal Security Forces, said they will let the world see how the DPRK builds a thriving socialist nation, pledging loyalty to the leadership of Kim Jong Un.