Pyongyang, December 22 (KCNA) -- Upon hearing the sad news that leader Kim Jong Il passed away, schoolchildren across the country are endlessly visiting with flowers in their hands the places where the portraits of him with smile in his face are displayed and mosaics depicting his image to express their reverence for him.

Many of them burst out sobbing before the portraits carrying his benevolent image that seems to be kindly calling them to come to him. Among them were pupils of Changdok School, Kang Pan Sok Secondary School, Kim Song Ju Primary School, Sokhyon Secondary School in Kanggye City, Paeksa Primary School in Sinuiju City, Sojung Secondary School in Rakwon County and Hero Munchon Secondary School in Munchon City.

Looking up to his image, they would say: "Please, wake up, father General Kim Jong Il." "Can't you come to our school again?" "We expected to delight you with successful New Year performance…."

Such scenes could be seen not only in the capital city of Pyongyang but also in all other areas of the country from Onsong County in its northern end to Kaesong City near the Military Demarcation Line, including a solitary island and deep mountainous village.

Among those schoolchildren are Hong Dan in Taehongdan, Chuk Bok in Pyongyang and Kwang Myong in electricity production base, who were named by Kim Jong Il.