Pyongyang, December 27 (KCNA) -- Since it was reported that leader Kim Jong Il passed away suddenly on Dec. 17, the number of people coming to mourning sites has increased day by day.

Son Yong Guk, a 41-year-old worker of the Ryongsong Machine Complex in South Hamgyong Province, told KCNA:

"I stand guard of honor beside leader Kim Jong Il's huge picture every night after work. The leader highly appreciated what we had done and invited us to Pyongyang to enjoy a good time. And he entertained us to a banquet and drank a toast to us. How can I forget it? He will always be with us."

Jo Il Gwang, a 16-year-old student of Hero Munchon Secondary School in Kangwon Province, said:

"We had a happy time at a camp when leader Kim Jong Il was inspecting frontline units. He was really our father. I swear to become a solider faithfully upholding his Songun (military-first) revolutionary cause."

Kim Ok Bi, a 100-year-old woman living in North Hwanghae Province who came to the mourning site with the help of her grandsons and great-grandsons, said:

"Some time ago leader Kim Jong Il sent a spread to me on my centenary birthday, wishing me longevity. He uninterruptedly made field guidance tours for the happiness of our people. How can I describe my grief?

I vowed in the mourning site to make all my family members remain faithful to respected Comrade Kim Jong Un."