North Korean Leader Kim Jong Il, 69, Has Died

[Pakistanisage]

Kim Jong Il, North Korea's mercurial and enigmatic leader, has died. He was 69.

Kim's death was announced Monday by the state television from the North Korean capital, Pyongyang.




Kim is believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008 but appeared relatively vigorous in photos and video from recent trips to China and Russia and in numerous trips around the country carefully documented by state media. The leader, reputed to have had a taste for cigars, cognac and gourmet cuisine, was believed to have had diabetes and heart disease.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean television announces in a "special broadcast" that its leader Kim Jong Il has died in Pyongyang. He was 69.



http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-...r-leader-dictator-dead-at-70-yonhap-says.html

 

[Dance]

So I guess his son takes over now?

 

[Pakistanisage]

This is going to Impact East Asia in a major way.

---------- Post added at 10:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:24 PM ----------

So I guess his son takes over now?

That has been the pattern, so far.

It is going to impact China as well because of close ties with North Korea.

 

[patna_ke_presley]

Kim Jong Il, North Korea's mercurial and enigmatic leader, has died. He was 69.

Kim's death was announced Monday by the state television from the North Korean capital, Pyongyang.




Kim is believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008 but appeared relatively vigorous in photos and video from recent trips to China and Russia and in numerous trips around the country carefully documented by state media. The leader, reputed to have had a taste for cigars, cognac and gourmet cuisine, was believed to have had diabetes and heart disease.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean television announces in a "special broadcast" that its leader Kim Jong Il has died in Pyongyang. He was 69.



Kim Jong Il, North Korea

A leader who is starving his people to death is mercurial.

 

[jha]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has died at the age of 69, state-run television has announced.

Mr Kim, who has led the communist nation since the death of his father in 1994, died on a train while visiting an area outside the capital, the announcement said.

He suffered a stroke in 2008 and was absent from public view for months.

His designated successor is believed to be his third son, Kim Jong-un, who is thought to be in his late 20s.

The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Seoul says Mr Kim's death will cause huge shock waves across North Korea.

The announcement came in an emotional statement read out on national television.

The announcer, wearing black, said he had died of physical and mental over-work.

South Korea says its military has been put on alert following the announcement and its National Security Council is convening for an emergency meeting, Yonhap news agency reports.

BBC News - N Korean leader Kim Jong-il dies

 

[somebozo]

North Korea's Kim Jong-Il has died

North Korea's Kim Jong-Il has died - Asia-Pacific - Al Jazeera English

Democratic People's Republic of Korea leader is dead at the age of 69, state media reports.
Last Modified: 19 Dec 2011 03:33

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il (C) and his son Kim Jong-Un visit a factory [Reuters]
North Korean media has reported that long-time leader Kim Jong-Il died.

State television reported on Monday that he died on Saturday and the announcer said the cause was "physical and mental over-work".

The official news agency KCNA said Kim died on board a train during one of his field trips outside the capital of the communist country.

Meanwhile, the Yonhap news agency said the South Korean military has been placed on emergency alert, as shares on the stock market in Seoul fell nearly five per cent.

South Korea's presidential Blue House has also called an emergency National Security Council meeting.

Reclusive 'dear leader'

Kim is believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008 but appeared relatively vigorous in photos and video from recent trips to China and Russia and in numerous trips around the country carefully documented by state media.

The leader, reputed to have had a taste for cigars, cognac and gourmet cuisine, was believed to have had diabetes and heart disease.

The news comes as North Korea prepares for a hereditary succession. In September 2010, Kim Jong Il unveiled his third son, the twenty-something Kim Jong-Un, as his successor, putting him in high-ranking posts.

"Just a couple of days ago, it was publicised that he was visiting a military installation," Don Kirk of the Christian Science Monitor told Al Jazeera.

"Obviously there will be a long period of pubilc mourning in the country, but the sense is that at least he organised his succession with [his son] Kim Jong-Un taking over."

"The country looks stable, but whether it will remain stable is not clear," he said.

Kim, 69, took power in 1994 upon the death of his father, Kim Il-Sung, the first leader of the country.

Pyongyang is due to celebrate the milestone 100th birthday of Kim Il-Sung in April 2012.

Source: Agencies

---------- Post added at 06:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:39 AM ----------

State television reported on Monday that he died on Saturday and the announcer said the cause was "physical and mental over-work".

I am just wondering, what kind of work he had anyways?

 

[shuntmaster]

Very sad news indeed. The world has lost a great and charismatic leader. May his soul R.I.P.

 

[Lankan Ranger]

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il dead

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, revered at home by a propaganda machine that turned him into a demi-god and vilified in the West as a temperamental tyrant with a nuclear arsenal, has died, North Korean state television reported on Monday.

Kim, who was 69 years old, died on Saturday, it said.

South Korea military placed on emergency alert

South Korea’s military has been put on emergency alert following the report of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s death, Yonhap news agency said on Monday.

South Korea’s presidential Blue House has called an emergency National Security Council meeting, Yonhap said.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/12/18/north-korean-leader-kim-jong-il-has-died-report/

 

[TruthSeeker]

Kin Jung Il was a monstrous dictator. His death is a cause for celebration by the Korean people, both North and South. It is highly doubtful that his son, Kim Jung Un, will be able to continue the family business as did his father. Therefore, this is very good news for the North Korean people. Their lives will surely improve. The cause of human freedom has been advanced.

 

[Avisheik]

SO the son take over now. I hope he has more brain cells than is dad. If he screws up, there might be coups as he is a new leader

 

[acetophenol]

Rip to him

 

[IranZamin]

^^ Well i am not so sure, many North Koreans starved to death under him

 

[acetophenol]

Rip to dead

 

[Avisheik]

Very sad news indeed. The world has lost a great and charismatic leader. May his soul R.I.P.

He may be charismatic to you but he was really a very bad dictator. He freaking let his people starve, not to mention he basically controlled their will and their lives

 

[Pakistanisage]

Kin Jung Il was a monstrous dictator. His death is a cause for celebration by the Korean people, both North and South. It is highly doubtful that his son, Kim Jung Un, will be able to continue the family business as did his father. Therefore, this is very good news for the North Korean people. Their lives will surely improve. The cause of human freedom has been advanced.

Yeah but the key question is who will take over after him.

If his son takes over or even if the generals take over, would anything really change in North Korea for the ordinary people ?

Do you foresee any change in the foreign policy of North Korea ?