NEWS: North Korean leader Kim Jong Il dead

**ghosthunter** · December 19th, 2011 12:50 PM

[SIZE=4]North Korean leader Kim Jong Il dead, state TV reports[/SIZE]
By the CNN Wire Staff
December 19, 2011 -- Updated 0343 GMT (1143 HKT)

(CNN) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Il is dead, North Korean state TV said Monday.

Kim, 69, died at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, state TV said.

A broadcaster reported that Kim died due to "overwork" after "dedicating his life to the people."

South Korean news agency Yonhap -- which based its reporting on its monitoring off North Korean state television -- said that Kim had died during a train trip.

South Korea's military declared an "emergency alert" following Kim's death, according to Yonhap.

The son of Kim Il Song, the founder of the communist nation, Kim Jong Il had been in power since 1994 when his father died of a heart attack at age 82.
Report: Kim Jong Il dead

The enigmatic leader was a frequent thorn in the side of neighboring South Korea, as well as the United States. There have been reports in recent years about his health, as well as that power will be transitioned to his son, Kim Jong Un.

North Korean news reports earlier this fall indicated that Kim Jong Il had been traveling around the country and visiting China, a big change from 2009 when he was thought to be ill with cancer.

Two senior U.S. military officials said then that they believed the pace of North Korea's planned regime change from Kim to his 20-something son appeared to have slowed.

The son, also known as Kim, started his career as a four-star general and in recent years was given more official duties by his father.

CNN's Wolf Blitzer, who traveled to Pyongyang a year ago with former U.S. ambassador Bill Richardson, said that "the assumption (then) was that he was sick" but still in "decent shape."

Now it is a "totally uncertain situation," Blitzer said.

SOURCE: North Korean leader Kim Jong Il dead, state TV reports - CNN.com

**ghosthunter** · December 19th, 2011 12:51 PM

I wonder if this would lead to a more open North Korea?

**uls** · December 19th, 2011 01:07 PM

S. Korean military declares emergency alert after Kim Jong-il's death | YONHAP NEWS

S. Korean military declares emergency alert after Kim Jong-il's death

SEOUL, Dec. 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on Monday placed all military units on emergency alert following the news of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's death.

The JCS said it called an emergency meeting of officials handling crisis management and operations just after noon Monday, after the North Korean media reported Kim's death.

**Altis6453** · December 19th, 2011 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by ghosthunter

I wonder if this would lead to a more open North Korea?

The heir to Kim Jong Il's reign in North Korea wouldn't know what "open" is if it hit him in the head. They view most of the Western countries with distrust (note: the frequent threats to use their nukes) while expecting much aid if only to prevent mass hunger from killing their people.

**shadow** · December 19th, 2011 01:08 PM

ewan ko kung totooo para nabasa ko lang in passing kanina sa tweeter..

**Monseratto** · December 19th, 2011 01:25 PM

Mukhang unexpected yung death ni "Dear Leader", sobrang bata yung heir apparent na 20-something lang...

More specifically, the agency noted that Kim suffered a heart attack and couldn't be saved despite the use of "every possible first-aid measure."

He had been treated for "cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases for a long period," KCNA noted.

South Korea's military declared an "emergency alert" following Kim's death, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.

Two senior U.S. military officials said then that they believed the pace of North Korea's planned regime change from Kim to his 20-something son appeared to have slowed.

The son, also known as Kim, started his career as a four-star general and in recent years was given more official duties by his father.

**umi001** · December 19th, 2011 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by ghosthunter

I wonder if this would lead to a more open North Korea?

My fear would be that this could lead to exactly the opposite situation - you might have the military grabbing the power, and putting up the "heir" as a puppet leader - and we all know that military people can sometimes get overly belligerent...

**Noel Salisipan** · December 19th, 2011 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by ghosthunter

I wonder if this would lead to a more open North Korea?

Im afraid not GH, leaders of North Korea were treated like a God by their people & they will not bow to anyone!

Just incase the next leader will open the trade, what they can offer for bussiness?

Even good peoples that wanted to conduct medical mission are being scorted at full extent of their laws!