Mon, December 19, 2011
PYONGYANG—North Korea on Monday 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 unveiled his third son Kim Jong Un as his successor a year ago, putting him in high-ranking posts. Little is known about the younger Kim, who is believed to be in his 20s.
Kim Jong Un regularly accompanied his father on trips around the country over the past year. Kim Jong Il inherited power after his father, revered North Korean founder Kim Il Sung, died in 1994.
South Korea's police were placed on a high alert after Kim's death, according to the National Police Agency, and the South Korean parliament convened emergency committee sessions on national defense, intelligence and unification affairs. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak put the military on alert and convened a national security council meeting.
The White House said in a statement that it is closely monitoring reports of Kim's death.
"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," the statement said.
The North said it would place Kim's body in the Kumsusan memorial palace in Pyongyang and would hold a national mourning period until Dec. 29. Kim's funeral will be held on Dec. 28, it said.
In a "special broadcast" Monday from the North Korean capital, state media said Kim died on a train due to a "great mental and physical strain" on Dec. 17 during a "high intensity field inspection." It said an autopsy was done on Dec. 18 and "fully confirmed" the diagnosis.
"It is the biggest loss for the party ... and it is our people and nation's biggest sadness," an anchorwoman clad in black Korean traditional dress said in a voice choked with tears.
Traffic in the North Korean capital was moving as usual Monday. A foreigner contacted at Pyongyang's Koryo Hotel said hotel staff were in tears.
(Agencies)
