North Korean television announced in a “special broadcast” that its leader Kim Jong Il has died in Pyongyang, the AP reports.
Kim’s death was announced Monday from the state capital of Pyongyang. He reportedly suffered a stroke in 2008, but appeared relatively healthy on recent trips around Asia, which were documented by state media.
Reuters adds that the country had begun transferring power to his son, Kim Jong-un, who is believed to be in his late 20s.
Michael Van Poppel tweeted that Kim was given as much first-aid attention as possible, but died at 8:30 a.m. according to the state television report.
The Korean Central News Agency, North Korea’s state news agency, paralleled that information. In a statement entitled “Kim Jong Il Passes Away (Urgent)”, it noted that he “passed away from great mental and physical strain”, passing away at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17. Additionally, in a separate article entitled ‘Medical Analysis of Kim Jong Il’s demise’, he suffered an “advanced acute myocardial infarction, complicated with a serious heart shock.”
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North Korean State TV announces Kim Jong Il’s death
https://twitter.com/RVAwonk/status/852656010351214592
The mofo is instigating to get us into a war. Where are our leaders? Someone stop him!
https://twitter.com/NBCNightlyNews/status/852646887693975552
Kim Jong-il funeral: Hysteria as cortege moves through Pyongyang snow
Talking Points Memo:
Dear Leader: Remarkable images from Kim Jong Il’s funeral procession http://tpm.ly/uEbaq8
Heir Leads Funeral of Kim Jong Il
North Korea’s prison camps
[wpvideo 1Nyn7SBm]
Kim Jong Il Dead: Son Kim Jong Un Leads Mourning North Koreans
PYONGYANG, North Korea — North Korea’s anointed heir Kim Jong Un led a solemn procession of mourners Tuesday to the glass coffin of his father and longtime ruler – a strong indication that a smooth leadership transition was under way in the country known for secrecy and unpredictability.
Weeping members of North Korea’s elite filed past the body of Kim Jong Il, which was draped in red cloth and surrounded by stony-faced honor guards and dozens of red and white flowers.
State media fed a budding personality cult around his youngest known son, hailing him as a “lighthouse of hope” as the country was awash in a “sea of tears and grief.”
In a dreamlike scene captured by Associated Press Television News, Kim’s coffin appeared to float on a raft of “kimjongilia” – the flowers named after him – with his head and shoulders bathed in a spotlight as solemn mustic played. Various medals and honors were displayed at his feet.
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Kim Jong-il in Open Coffin ‘China Reaction’
As Kim lies in state, reactions in North and South Korea show depth of divide
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/as-one-part-of-the-korean-peninsula-mourns-the-other-shrugs/2011/12/20/gIQAPeYw6O_story.html?tid=sm_twitter_washingtonpost
SEOUL — One part of this divided peninsula is paralyzed in frenzied mourning of a leader that it deified. The other is shrugging its collective shoulders, hoping that in the wake of Kim Jong Il’s death, nothing too bad will happen.
Kim’s body was presented to a grieving North Korea on Tuesday ensconced in a glass case, surrounded by rows of the official state flower, the “Kimjongilia.” The deep red color of the blossoms matched the crimson blanket that covered Kim from the chest down. His head rested atop a tubular pillow.
The body of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il lies in state at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang, North Korea.
Kim Jong Il death: Powerful uncle could overshadow Kim’s son
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2011/12/kim-jong-un-overshadow-uncle-kim-jong-il-dead.html
REPORTING FROM SHENZHEN, CHINA — The death of Kim Jong Il leaves his family’s business — running North Korea — in terrible shape.
Under his leadership, North Korea lost 2 million people, about 10% of the population, to starvation. It sank ever deeper into poverty and isolation, all the more striking next to the economic miracle that is China.
His youngest son and chosen successor, Kim Jong Un, still in his 20s, has before him what appears to be the nearly impossible task of trying to rescue a failed state and perpetuate the family dynasty into its third generation.
PHOTOS: Kim Jong Il | 1942-2011
North Korea is an anachronism of a country, more so than ever at the end of a year when the world has witnessed the collapse of undemocratic regimes in Libya, Egypt and Tunisia.
“Kim Jong Il was the glue that held the system together. We don’t know how the system will respond in his absence,” said Scott Snyder, Korea expert with the Council on Foreign Relations.
“Everything could potentially change,” said Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing. “The only person who had the experience and who held the exclusive power is gone.”
North Korean media extolled Kim Jong Un on Monday as the “great successor” and the “outstanding leader of our party, army and people.”
But it’s not so simple. The young man is likely to be overshadowed by a powerful uncle, Jang Sung Taek.
N Korea TV Shows Kim Jong-il Lying In State
http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16133724
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North Korea has been urged to follow “the path of peace” as state TV showed pictures of the body of Kim Jong-il lying in state.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called for a stable transition to the new leadership following the dictator’s death
However, with many experts predicting an internal power struggle, North Korea could pose an even bigger menace to its neighbours and the world.
In the country he ruled for 17 years they called him “Our Father”, “the Dear Leader” and the “Great Successor To The Revolutionary Cause”.
Kim Jong Il Dead: North Korea Mourns Death Of Longtime Ruler, State Media Hails Son As A Man ‘Born Of Heaven’
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/19/kim-jong-il-dead-nation-mourns_n_1159522.html
PYONGYANG, North Korea — North Korea prepared to lay longtime ruler Kim Jong Il to rest while the hermit state’s official media on Tuesday lauded his son and heir apparent as a person “born of heaven” – suggesting the transition to a new leadership was under way.
The streets of the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, were quiet Tuesday morning as thousands grieved the death of their “Dear Leader.” With an 11-day mourning period in effect, flags flew at half staff, shops were closed and streams of mourners – some wailing – placed flowers at memorials around the city.
“Today, as well as yesterday, the Korean people have been coming here to Mansu Hill in deep sorrow at the loss of the benevolent father of our nation with the infinite feeling of longing,” said Ri Ho Il, a lecturer at the Korean Revolutionary History Museum. “Our General (Kim Jong Il) is our people’s benevolent father. He defended our people’s happiness, carrying on his forced march both night and day.”
Kim died Saturday of a massive heart attack brought about by overwork and stress, according to the North’s media. He was 69 – though some experts question the official accounts of his birth date and location. The state funeral is to be held on Dec. 28.
Oh dear God; are these folks serious?!!!
What a year; watching all these ratbastard dick-tators bite the dust. bye, Kim.
Is the wailing for real or are they faking it for the cameras?
Did you see the one woman beating the table? OMFG!
SMGDH It’s too UNREAL watching this unfold.
North Koreans weeping hysterically over the death of Kim Jong-il
Kim Jong Il dead: Video of grief and mass hysteria in North Korea
http://www.odt.co.nz/source/ap/191487/north-koreans-rally-round-kim-jong-ils-heir
North Korea today urged its 24 million people to rally behind 20-something heir-apparent Kim Jong Un as the nation mourned the death of supreme leader Kim Jong Il.
South Korea, meanwhile, put its military on high alert, while people in the streets of Pyongyang broke into tears as they learned the news that Kim had died at the age 69 of heart failure. The United States said it was in close contact with allies South Korea and Japan.
The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said the country, people and military “must faithfully revere respectable comrade Kim Jong Un.”
“At the leadership of comrade Kim Jong Un, we have to change sadness to strength and courage and overcome today’s difficulties,” it said.
Kim Jong-il: South Korea on high alert after North Korea confirms passing of enigmatic leader
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2011/1218/Kim-Jong-il-South-Korea-on-high-alert-after-North-Korea-confirms-passing-of-enigmatic-leader
Kim Jong-il was reportedly conducting a ‘high intensity field inspection’ when he died on a North Korean train, Saturday. South Korean military is on high alert.
Kim Jong Il, North Korea’s mercurial and enigmatic longtime leader, has died of heart failure. He was 69.
Al Jazeera English: Live Stream
http://www.aljazeera.com/watch_now/
Statement by the Press Secretary on reports of the death of Kim Jong Il
http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/121911p.html
We are closely monitoring reports that Kim Jong Il is dead. The President has been notified, and we are in close touch with our allies in South Korea and Japan. We remain committed to stability on the Korean peninsula, and to the freedom and security of our allies.