[NKNews] Kim Jong-il Dead – Reaction from inside and outside North Korea (multiple stories)

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Last updated 12:50PM EST

REACTION:

• From North Korea
• Impact on Succession
• South Korean Reaction
• Foreign Reaction
• Opinion and Analysis

From North Korea

12 Days of Mourning for Kim
North Korea has announced that it has entered a period of formal mourning following the death of Kim Jong Il lasting from the 17th, the day of his passing, until the 29th.The news was released in a brief communique in the name of the ‘State Funeral Committee’, Chosun Central News Agency announced the news, stating, “The body of National Defense Commission Chairman Kim will lie in state at Kumsusan Memorial Palace during the period of mourning from the 17th to the 29th. Visitors will be received between the 20th and 27th. The ceremony for his parting will be performed on the 28th in Pyongyang.” “Central memorial meetings to honor Chairman Kim will open on the 29th,” it went on. “At that time in Pyongyang and sites in every province there will be an artillery salute and 3 minutes silence, and all official vehicles and vessels will sound their horns.” (Daily NK)
http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk01700&num=8553

Armed Troops at 4m Intervals
Following on from news of the closure of North Korea’s border with China, Daily NK has learned that armed soldiers have been deployed en masse to the center of the city of Musan.A source from the border city in North Hamkyung Province told Daily NK this lunchtime, “Troops were mobilized from 9AM this morning and they chased out all the grasshopper traders from the alleyways around the market here. The people, who didn’t know the reason for it, all withdrew to watch and wait.”Grasshopper traders are those traders who operate in the alleyways outside officially sanctioned markets in North Korea. As reported earlier this afternoon by Daily NK, official markets have been shuttered by the North Korean authorities.
http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk01500&num=8557

KCNA Hits out at SK Ruling Party
South Korea’s Grand National Party has been branded a ‘base abuser of human rights’, and guilty of ‘impudent rash behavior’ by the North Korean media for its efforts to pass the North Korea Human Rights Act.Chosun Central News Agency (KCNA) stated on the 16th, “The South Chosun puppets are plotting a scheme directed against the human rights of our republic. The Grand National Party’s recent attempts at passing the ‘North Korea Human Rights Act’ in the National Assembly have resulted in them leaping back and forth, raising voices and embarrassing themselves on the diplomatic stage whilst Ministry of Unification officials speak badly of their brethren.”
http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk01700&num=8556

Border Closed Before Announcement   
North Korean border guard units received orders at 1AM on the night of the 18th to close the border with China with immediate effect.An inside military source told Daily NK this morning, “At 1AM on the night of the 18th a ‘Special Guard’ order was handed down to the unit. All officers who had finished work were recalled to the base and have been on emergency duty ever since.”“At the time even commanding officers did not know about the contents of the order, and as per the order to completely close the border, normal patrols in groups of two were stepped up to groups of four. We only learned that the General had died from special broadcasts,” the source added. (Daily NK)
http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk01500&num=8554

NK Shuts Down on News of Death
Following the official announcement of Kim Jong Il’s death today, North Korea has imposed rigid social controls, including the complete closure of markets.An inside source told Daily NK this lunchtime, “The jangmadang is closed and people are not allowed to go outside. Local Party secretaries are issuing special commands through local Union of Democratic Women unit chairwomen, and the chairwomen have been gathered at district offices for emergency meetings.”According to the source, National Security Agency and People’s Safety Ministry agents have been deployed in streets and alleyways to control civilian movements. There have not been any signs of public unrest to date.  (Daily NK)
http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk01500&num=8552

Impact on Succession Process

Kim Jong Il’s Death, North Korea’s Outlook
Dec. 19 (Bloomberg) — Richard Falkenrath, a principal at the Chertoff Group and a Bloomberg Television contributing editor, talks about the future of North Korea following the death of leader Kim Jong Il. North Korean state media urged citizens to “loyally follow” Kim Jong Un, the little-known third son of Kim Jong Il. Falkenrath speaks with Lisa Murphy on Bloomberg Television’s “In the Loop.” (Source: Bloomberg)
http://www.bloomberg.com/video/83015796/

North Korea’s future after Kim Jong Il’s death uncertain
 It took more than two days for news of Kim Jong Il’s death to become public. North Korean state television announced Sunday night that he died Saturday morning Korean time from a massive heart attack. For 17 years, Kim Jong Il ruled North Korea with an iron fist. His father, Kim Il Sung, founded the communist nation after World War II. Once he died in 1994, Kim Jong Il took the reins of power, following in his father’s footsteps of total control over nearly all aspects of North Korean life. “He will be remembered as a person who was responsible for awful things – for the existence of one of the worst dictatorships in not only Korean history but the world history at least in the twentieth and twenty-first century,” said North Korean analyst Andre Larkov. (Fox)
http://www.myfoxal.com/story/16351018/north-koreas-future-after-leaders-death-uncertain

All eyes on Kim’s heir-apparent in North Korea
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. (CBS)

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57344908/all-eyes-on-kims-heir-apparent-in-north-korea/

Kim Jong Un: The ‘great successor’ remains an enigma
As North Koreans face an uncertain future without Kim Jong Il, the world’s attention now turns to his youngest son, Kim Jong Un, whom the ruling Workers’ Party has dubbed the “great successor.” “Kim Jong Un’s leadership provides a sure guarantee for creditably carrying to completion the revolutionary cause … through generations,” party said . But little is known about the deceased leader’s youngest son. Even his age is uncertain to most of the outside world: he is believed to be in his late 20s or early 30s. The first formal mention of his name in official state communications came just over a year ago, in October 2010, when he was promoted to the rank of four-star general just before a rare meeting of the country’s ruling party. (CNN)http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/19/world/asia/kim-jong-un-profile/?hpt=hp_t1

Inside North Korea: Cult Of The Kim Family
Nobody goes to North Korea expecting it to be a normal place. But nothing had prepared me for a twilight zone of a country, where the unofficial state religion is worship of a family that functions like the mafia – only with considerably less honour.It is just 250 miles (400km) from the Chinese border town of Dandong to the North Korea capital of Pyongyang. But the train I caught took 12 hours, crawling through villages that looked as miserable and drawn as the faces of their inhabitants.Photos are banned, customs guards are infamous for stealing anything they like the look of in passengers’ luggage, and the dining carriage staff grumpily charge you $100 for a meal of salted meat and rice for three.It is an obvious metaphor for the North Korean state – secretive, ground down by poverty and hunger and run by a gang of vicious kleptomaniacs.Foreign visitors must be accompanied at all times by North Korean guides and the first – state-enforced – stop for all guests is a glittering statue of Kim Il-sung that towers over Pyongyang. (96.4 Eagle Radio)http://www.964eagle.co.uk/news/world-news/579950/inside-north-korea-cult-of-the-kim-family/

Foreign Reaction

Kim Jong Il’s Death Opens Door for Obama
The Obama administration says it remains committed to stability on the Korean peninsula and is closely monitoring developments there following the death of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il and the apparent transfer of power to his son. The administration had been expected to decide, possibly as early as Monday, whether to try to re-engage the reclusive country in nuclear negotiations and provide it with food aid, U.S. officials said Sunday. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, said Kim’s death would likely delay the effort. (The Fiscal Times)
http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2011/12/19/AP-Kim-Jong-Ils-Death-Opens-Door-for-Obama.aspx#page1

Kim’s death leaves nuke talks uncertain
Washington – The death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il could put a brake on talks ultimately aimed at getting the secretive communist state to give up its nuclear weapons. Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader’s untested third son and successor, is unlikely to risk any step that could be construed as weakness as he seeks to consolidate control. (News24)
http://www.news24.com/World/News/Kims-death-leaves-nuke-talks-uncertain-20111219

North Korea ‘Isn’t Really on the Map’ Economically, Staley Says
Dec. 19 (Bloomberg) — JPMorgan Chase & Co. is monitoring political fallout following the death of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il, said Jes Staley, chief executive officer of the investment-banking unit. “North Korea, in and of itself, is not really economically relevant to any of these markets,” Staley said, referring to the U.S., Asia and European economies on Bloomberg Television’s Inside Track today. “That being said, the political instability it could mean for a Japan, for South Korea, which is a very important market for us, or for China” is being watched for its impact on financial markets, he said. (Business Week)
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-19/north-korea-isn-t-really-on-the-map-economically-staley-says.html

US stocks edge higher after death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il
U.S. stock futures are edging higher Monday, even as news of North Korea ruler Kim Jong Il’s death rattles Asia and European markets.European markets fell, but then rebounded as investors weighed the potential consequences of Kim’s death. Asian indexes closed lower. Analysts warn Kim’s death could cause an uncertain power transition and put the brakes on talks aimed at getting the secretive communist state to give up its nuclear weapons.Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader’s untested third son and heir-apparent, is expected to want to consolidate his power and dispel any notions of weakness. (NewsNet5)http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/money/business_news/us-stocks-egde-higher-after-death-of-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-il

Japan Noda: can’t let Kim’s death harm Korean security
It is important to ensure that the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il does not adversely affect peace on the Korean peninsula, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said on Monday. Noda, speaking to reporters, also said there is no change in the government’s stance that it wants Japanese citizens abducted by North Korean agents decades ago to be safely returned to Japan. (Reuters)http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/19/korea-north-japan-noda-idUST9E7MU01J20111219

Kim Jong Il was “great friend” of China: Foreign Ministry
China was “shocked” to learn about the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, who was a “great friend of the Chinese people,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said in Beijing Monday. Kim was a “noble leader” and close friend of China who made “important contributions to the development of North Korea’s socialism” and the push for friendly relations with China, according to a statement Liu read at a daily briefing. “We believe that the North Korean people will be able to convert sadness into strength and unite to continue pushing North Korea’s socialism forward,” according to the statement. (Taiwan News)http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=1791649

Kim’s death viewed with wary optimism
World governments are viewing the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il with wary optimism _ a possibly destabilizing moment for the region as power passes to his son but also an opportunity for a new diplomatic start. Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague expressed his condolences Monday but said “this could be a turning point for North Korea” as Kim Jong Un takes over as supreme leader. Hague is calling for North Korea now to “take the steps necessary” to resume international talks aimed at ending its nuclear weapons program. Australia‘s Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd says Kim’s death is an “opportunity for the North Korean regime… to engage fully with the international community.” (Taiwan News)
http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=1791615

World stocks sink on news
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il dead, worries over Europe crisis
World stocks began the week with a jolt Monday as the death of North Korea’s absolute ruler, Kim Jong Il, added to the uncertainties clouding the outlook for financial markets.
South Korea’s Kospi index dived nearly 5 percent but later recouped some losses to close 3.4 percent lower at 1,776.93. The Korean won also fell, losing 1.6 percent against the U.S. dollar, a traditional haven in times of uncertainty. The Japanese yen, euro and other regional currencies also weakened against the dollar. (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/markets/asian-stock-markets-lower-amid-news-of-kim-jong-il-death-worries-about-europe-debt-crisis/2011/12/18/gIQAT01O3O_story.html

UN monitoring North Korea after Jong’s death
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was among world leaders put on alert Sunday over the death of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-Il, officials said.”The secretary general is aware but of the reports but we don’t have an immediate reaction,” UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told AFP. The United Nations has been desperately trying to raise international funds to provide food for North Korea. It appealed for $218 million dollars this year but less than 20 percent has been raised.Ban, who is from South Korea, has in turn regularly expressed concern at the deadlock in international talks on the North’s nuclear arms program. He said last week that the mood on the Korean peninsula was almost “frozen”. (New Age)
http://www.thenewage.co.za/38173-1020-53-UN_monitoring_North_Korea_after_Jongs_death

LA’s Koreans worried, stunned at Kim Jong Il death
Many in the largest Korean enclave in the United States took word of the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il with disbelief, saying it was a day they thought they’d never see. But when their shock wore off, most in Los Angeles’s Koreatown shifted to quiet concern for the future of their native country and its neighbor to the north.
“Kim Jong Il died? You’re sure about that? No way! I thought he was going to live forever!” said Brian Shin, a 30-year-old native South Korean as he smoked a cigarette in front of his high-rise apartment building on Wilshire Boulevard. He kept expressing doubts until his wife ran downstairs to tell him it was true.
But while he knew the event was huge, he didn’t think it would lead to significant changes.
“Even though he died, I don’t think it’s a better situation or a better world,” Shin said.  (Pantagraph)
Read more: http://www.pantagraph.com/news/national/la-s-koreans-worried-stunned-at-kim-jong-il-death/article_eb125bb6-f430-56cb-99b5-2960d484a76a.html#ixzz1gyMdLIIV

Latest Opinion and Analysis

Kim Jong Il’s Death: North Korea Waits for Kim Jong Un to Consolidate Power, by Bill Powell
The iconic painting hangs everywhere in North Korea — in the offices of party functionaries and in homes, in factories and in schools. Kim Il Sung, founder of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is depicted with his son Kim Jong Il. They are standing in front of Baekdu-san, a sacred mountain where, legend has it, the first Kingdom of Korea was formed. The image is the most familiar representation of a ruling dynasty that has, in just two generations, ground North Korea into abject poverty and international isolation. Both men are gone now — the Dear Leader Kim Jong Il dying Saturday of a heart attack at age 69, just as his father did 17 years ago. In the wake of his departure, all eyes are on the young man who isn’t in the picture: 29-year-old Kim Jong Un.  Since the late summer of 2008, when Kim Jong Il suffered a severe stroke, cadres in the ruling Korean Workers Party have been carefully grooming his third son Jong Un for succession. Officially, that was to come in 2012, when North Korea will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s birth. The first indication that the succession plan still holds is Pyongyang’s announcement today of the formation of a 232-member “funeral commission,” which will be headed by the younger Kim. The funeral is scheduled for Dec. 28. (Time)
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2102781,00.html?iid=tl-main-mostpop2

The Kim is dead, long live the Kim!  By Donald Kirk
SEOUL – The death of bouffant-coifed, platform-heel wearing North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il on Saturday ushers in a new era of rampant speculation, pontification and no doubt obfuscation about what’s really going on inside the Hermit Kingdom.  The fact is that Kim Jong-il late last week appeared just fine as he toured a military strong point, posing beside his son and heir presumptive, Kim Jong-eun. It was not until late on Monday morning that word came through to stand by for an “important announcement” at noon, Korea time.  The initial assumption was North Korea was going to beat Washington to the punch with a deal on a “moratorium” on missile and nuclear tests in exchange for resumption of United States food aid to North Korea.  Now all bets are off as North Korea goes into mourning for a man who was known as the Dear Leader while ruling his starving people with an iron hand through 17 years in power. What’s sure is that third son Kim Jong-eun is the titular leader. You only had to see his name at the head of the funeral committee to know that the clique around the power center was going to honor his father’s wishes to that extent. (Asia Times)
http://atimes.com/atimes/Korea/ML20Dg02.html

South Korea is the key  By Sunny Lee
BEIJING – Kim Jong-il is dead. Now, what’s going to happen in North Korea? That’s the question the world is thinking aloud, trying to peep into North Korea. But they are wrong. They should look at South Korea – what happens next will be pretty much determined by the South Korean government’s strategy and its reactions.  With Kim Jong-il no longer around – his death at the age of 69 was officially announced in Pyongyang on Monday morning – many experts will look at China, which has been touted as wielding more influence on the reclusive nation than any other country in the world.  But this time, it’s South Korea that holds the key in managing the course of the situation in North Korea. South Korean presidential advisers might see this as an “opportunity”. Depending on how they interpret that opportunity, the trajectory of the Korean Peninsula will be dramatically different. (Asia Times)

http://atimes.com/atimes/Korea/ML20Dg01.html

UPDATE 1: December 18

From KCNA Pyongyang

Pyongyang, December 19 (KCNA) — Leader Kim Jong Il had received medical treatment for his cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases for a long period. He suffered an advanced acute myocardial infarction, complicated with a serious heart shock, on train on December 17, Juche 100 (2011) for a great mental and physical strain caused by his uninterrupted field guidance tour for the building of a thriving nation. Every possible first-aid measure was taken immediately but he passed away at 08:30 on December 17. An autopsy on December 18 fully confirmed the diagnosis of his diseases. -0- (KCNA)

http://www.kcna.kp/goHome.do?lang=eng

INITIAL KCNA REPORT
Pyongyang, December 19 (KCNA) – Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and supreme commander of the Korean People’s Army, passed away from a great mental and physical strain at 08:30 December 17, 2011, on train during a field guidance tour. The WPK Central Committee and Central Military Commission, DPRK National Defence Commission, Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly and Cabinet released a notice on Saturday informing the WPK members, servicepersons and all other people of his passing away. (KCNA)
http://www.kcna.kp/goHome.do?lang=eng

From Yonhap News, Seoul
SEOUL, Dec. 19 (Yonhap) — North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who ruled the communist nation with an iron fist while pursuing nuclear weapons programs, has died, state media said Monday. He was 69. Kim, who took over North Korea after his father and national founder Kim Il-sung died in 1994, “passed away from a great mental and physical strain” during a train ride at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, the Korean Central News Agency said in an urgent dispatch. A female newscaster, clad in a black funeral dress, also announced Kim’s death on state TV. The late Kim had been in ill heath after suffering an apparent stroke in 2008.

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2011/12/19/50/0301000000AEN20111219005000315F.HTML

원문 : http://nknews.org/2011/12/kim-jong-il-dead/