North Korea’s neighbours and the wider world were last night nervously awaiting any dangerous developments after the sudden death of leader Kim Jong-il.
The 69-year-old head of the nuclear-armed nation was said to have suffered a massive heart attack on his luxury private train on Saturday morning.
Communist officials announced that his youngest son Kim Jong-un, a James Bond fan, would be his “great successor”.
South Korea and Japan put their armies on high alert and US officials were “closely monitoring” the situation amid fears Jong-un could launch an attack to prove his strength as new leader.
There were unconfirmed reports the country had test-fired a missile off its eastern coast – amid fears a power struggle between the military and politicians could destabilise the secretive country.
Victor Cha, a former US National Security Council director, added: “The most likely scenario for regime collapse has been the sudden death of Kim Jong-il. We are now in that scenario.”
Jong-il suffered a stroke in 2008 and had slowly been transferring power to his youngest son.
But his death – which was kept quiet for 48 hours – still came as a shock to North Koreans and Western governments. State TV showed North Koreans crying and breaking down hysterically – although it is believed much of the footage was stage-managed by Communist chiefs.
The news was announced on state TV and by the official Korean Central News Agency just after midday local time.
Jong-il’s funeral – expected to be attended by more than a million mourners – will take place in capital Pyongyang on December 28. Government officials declared a period of national mourning from December 17 to 29.
State TV warned “entertainment” will be banned during the mourning period. Jong-il will lie in state in Kumsusan Palace – where the embalmed body of his father Kim Il-sung, whom he succeeded in 1994, is still on display.
Western governments have repeatedly tried to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions. But there are fears Jong-un will ignore their pleas to avoid being seen as a weak leader by his people.
Foreign Secretary William Hague urged Jong-un to recognise that talks with the international community offered the best hope of improving the lives of his people. He said: “This could be a turning point. We encourage North Korea to work for peace.”
South Korea is still technically at war with the North and convened an emergency security meeting after Jong-il’s death.
The US has nearly 30,000 troops in South Korea, whose leader Lee Myung-Bak spoke to Barack Obama by phone yesterday. A spokesman said: “The two leaders agreed to closely co-operate and monitor the situation.”
Korean international relations expert Lee Jung-hoon warned: “Whenever it experiences instability, North Korea likes to divert attention elsewhere – including indulging in provocation.”
Communist officials announced that his youngest son Kim Jong-un, a James Bond fan, would be his “great successor”.
South Korea and Japan put their armies on high alert and US officials were “closely monitoring” the situation amid fears Jong-un could launch an attack to prove his strength as new leader.
There were unconfirmed reports the country had test-fired a missile off its eastern coast – amid fears a power struggle between the military and politicians could destabilise the secretive country.
A man cries over the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il (Pic:Reuters)
Employees of Pyongyang 326 Electric Wire Factory mourn (Pic:Reuters)
A North Korean woman holding flowers and other people arrive at the North Korea embassy to mourn (Pic:Reuters)
World leaders are now keeping an anxious eye on North Korea – which has a 1.2million-strong army. Bill Richardson, former US ambassador to the UN said: “The situation could become extremely volatile. What the North Korean military does in the next 24-48 hours will be decisive.”Victor Cha, a former US National Security Council director, added: “The most likely scenario for regime collapse has been the sudden death of Kim Jong-il. We are now in that scenario.”
Jong-il suffered a stroke in 2008 and had slowly been transferring power to his youngest son.
But his death – which was kept quiet for 48 hours – still came as a shock to North Koreans and Western governments. State TV showed North Koreans crying and breaking down hysterically – although it is believed much of the footage was stage-managed by Communist chiefs.
The news was announced on state TV and by the official Korean Central News Agency just after midday local time.
North Korean presentator in tears as she announces the death (Pic:Getty)
Map showing North Korea
North Korea facts
A weeping newsreader broke the news of the “Dear Leader’s” death in an emotional address. A statement read: “The heart of Kim Jong-il stopped beating, but his noble and august name and benelovent image will always be remembered by our army and our people.”Jong-il’s funeral – expected to be attended by more than a million mourners – will take place in capital Pyongyang on December 28. Government officials declared a period of national mourning from December 17 to 29.
State TV warned “entertainment” will be banned during the mourning period. Jong-il will lie in state in Kumsusan Palace – where the embalmed body of his father Kim Il-sung, whom he succeeded in 1994, is still on display.
Western governments have repeatedly tried to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions. But there are fears Jong-un will ignore their pleas to avoid being seen as a weak leader by his people.
Foreign Secretary William Hague urged Jong-un to recognise that talks with the international community offered the best hope of improving the lives of his people. He said: “This could be a turning point. We encourage North Korea to work for peace.”
South Korea is still technically at war with the North and convened an emergency security meeting after Jong-il’s death.
The US has nearly 30,000 troops in South Korea, whose leader Lee Myung-Bak spoke to Barack Obama by phone yesterday. A spokesman said: “The two leaders agreed to closely co-operate and monitor the situation.”
Korean international relations expert Lee Jung-hoon warned: “Whenever it experiences instability, North Korea likes to divert attention elsewhere – including indulging in provocation.”
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