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North Korea News

December 19, 2011 by · Comments Off on North Korea News 

North Korea NewsNorth Korea News, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il died of a heart attack, state media reported on Monday, sparking concern over who is in real control of the nuclear renegade state as his untested youngest son takes over the family dynasty.

A tearful television announcer, dressed in black and her voice quavering, said the 69-year old iron ruler died on Saturday of “physical and mental over-work” on a train on his way to give field guidance – advice dispensed by the “Dear Leader” on his trips to factories, farms and military bases.

North Korea’s official KCNA news agency named Kim’s youngest son, Kim Jong-un, as the “Great Successor”, lauding him as “the outstanding leader of our party, army and people”.

But there was uncertainty about how much support he has among the ruling elite, especially in the military, and worry he might try some military provocation to help establish his credentials.

“Kim Jong-un is a pale reflection of his father and grandfather. He has not had the decades of grooming and securing of a power base that Jong-il enjoyed before assuming control from his father,” said Bruce Klingner, an Asia policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation in Washington.

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