NORTH KOREAN authorities yesterday called on the nation to remain loyal to Kim Jong Un, son of late leader Kim Jong Il, and further cement the “single-minded unity of the party, the army and the people.”

    The appeal came in a notice published by North Korea’s official KCNA news agency following the announcement of the death of Kim.

    “Kim Jong Il passed away to our regret before seeing the victory of the cause of building a thriving nation, the national reunification... but laid a strong political and military base for ensuring the steady advance of the Korean revolution through generations and provided a solid foundation for the eternal prosperity of the country and the nation,” the notice said.

    “All the party members, service personnel and people should remain loyal to the guidance of respected Kim Jong Un and firmly protect and further cement the single-minded unity of the party, the army and the people,” it said.

    It urged the nation to turn sorrow into strength and courage under the leadership of Kim Jong Un and overcome the present difficulties and work harder for a great victory.

    “Our army and people will hold leader Kim Jong Il in high esteem forever with unshakable faith and a noble sense of moral obligation,” the notice said.

    “We should increase the country’s military capability in every way to reliably safeguard the Korean socialist system and the gains of revolution... thus bringing about a decisive turn in building an economic power and improving the standard of people’s living,” it continued.

    “Our party and people will strive hard to boost friendship and solidarity with the peoples of different countries, guided by the idea of independence, peace and friendship, and build an independent and peaceful new world free from domination, subjugation, aggression and war,” it said.

    Kim Jong Il unveiled his third son Kim Jong Un as his successor a year ago, putting him in high-ranking posts. Little is known about the younger Kim.

    Jong Un regularly accompanied his father on trips around the country over the past year. Kim Jong Il inherited power after his father, North Korean founder Kim Il Sung, died in 1994.

    (SD-Xinhua)