N. Korea announces death of Kim Jong-Il
Posted: 19 December 2011 1116 hrs
SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has died aged 69 of a heart
attack, state media announced Monday, plunging the impoverished
nuclear-armed nation into uncertainty.
The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the leader
"passed away from a great mental and physical strain" at 8:30 am on
Saturday (2330 GMT Friday), while on a train for one of his "field
guidance" tours.
It urged people to follow Kim's youngest son and heir apparent Kim
Jong-Un, who is aged in his late 20s.
"All party members, military men and the public should faithfully
follow the leadership of comrade Kim Jong-Un and protect and
further strengthen the unified front of the party, military and the
public," said the news agency and a weeping TV
announcer.
KCNA said Kim died of a "severe myocardial infarction along with a
heart attack". It said an autopsy was performed Sunday.
The leader suffered a stroke in August 2008 which left him with
impaired movement in his left arm and leg.
The North declared a period of national mourning from December 17
to 29.
South Korea's government went on an emergency footing after the
shock news, the South's Yonhap news agency reported. It summoned a
meeting of the National Security Council.
North and South Korea have remained technically at war since the
three-year Korean conflict ended only in an armistice in
1953.
- AFP/cc
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1172153/1/.html
