Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- The Korean people, stricken with grief at the demise of leader Kim Jong Il, are sorely missing him.

Ryu Hyong Du, an officer of the Korean People's Internal Security Forces, told KCNA:

"Leader Kim Jong Il, born in Mt. Paektu during the anti-Japanese armed struggle, was a great man unprecedented in history. He devoted his all to the wellbeing of the people, going through many hardships, and ended his great life on train during his field guidance tour. I can hardly control my grief at his demise."

Jong Chol Ho, a teacher at Kim Il Sung University, said:

"Leader Kim Jong Il was born in Mt. Paektu in a severely cold day, a few years before the liberation of the country. It renders my heart sick to think of the great pains he took for the people. After providing solid foundations for the building of a strong economy, he passed away on train in a cold winter day.

We will remain true to the leadership of great Comrade Kim Jong Un in building a thriving socialist nation as desired by Kim Jong Il in his lifetime."