North Korea: Nation in grief for Dear Leader
Source: Agencies |
December 20, 2011, Tuesday
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NORTH Koreans marched in their hundreds to their capital Pyongyang's landmarks to mourn Kim Jong Il, many crying uncontrollably and flailing their arms in grief over news of the death of their Dear Leader.
State media proclaimed his twenty-something son and heir-apparent Kim Jong Un the "great successor."
After 17 years in power, Kim died of heart failure on Saturday at age 69 while carrying out official duties on a train trip.
Kim died "from a great mental and physical strain," the Korean Central News Agency reported. Kim, who had received medical treatment for cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases over a long period, suffered "an advanced acute myocardial infarction, complicated with a serious heart shock" on the train, it added.
The report said that every possible first-aid measure was taken immediately, which failed to save Kim's life, adding that an autopsy was done on Sunday and "fully confirmed" the diagnosis. Kim is believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008.
On the streets of Pyongyang, people wailed in grief, some kneeling on the ground or bowing repeatedly. Children and adults laid flowers at key memorials.
Giant painting
A tearful Kim Yong Ho said Kim Jong Il had made people's lives happier. "That is what he was doing when he died: working, traveling on a train," he said.
Other North Koreans walked in line past a giant painting of Kim Jong Il and his late father, national founder Kim Il Sung, standing together on Mount Paektu, Kim Jong Il's official birthplace. Wreaths were neatly placed below the painting.
"How could the heavens be so cruel? Please come back, general. We cannot believe you're gone," Hong Son Ok shouted in an interview with North Korea's official television, her body shaking wildly.
"He passed away too suddenly to our profound regret," said a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency. "The heart of Kim Jong Il stopped beating, but his noble and august name and benevolent image will always be remembered by our army and people."
North Korea fell short of any official statements on a succession, but gave clear indications that Kim Jong Un, the third son of Kim Jong Il, would be in charge.
North Korea said in a dispatch that the people and the military "have pledged to uphold the leadership of comrade Kim Jong Un" and called him a "great successor" of the country's revolutionary philosophy of juche, or self reliance.
Mourning period
North Korea said it would place Kim's body in the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang and that his funeral would be on December 28. No entertainment will be allowed during a 10-day mourning period, and the country would accept no "foreign delegations hoping to express condolences," it said.
The death comes at a sensitive time as North Korea prepares for next year's 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung. The preparations include massive construction projects as part of Kim Jong Il's promise to bring prosperity.
North Korea conducted at least one short-range missile test yesterday, a South Korean official said. But South Korea's military sees the firing as part of a scheduled routine drill, instead of a "provocation," the official said. North Korea conducted two nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009 and is thought to have enough plutonium for at least a half-dozen weapons. But experts doubt that it has mastered the technology to mount a nuclear warhead on a missile.
In Seoul, parliamentary official Lee Kyu-yun said he was thinking of stocking up food in case of soaring military tensions.
Some analysts, however, said Kim's death was unlikely to plunge the country into chaos because it was already preparing for a transition. Kim Jong Il indicated a year ago that Kim Jong Un would be his successor, putting him in high-ranking posts.
The young man's aunt's husband, Jang Song Thaek, was promoted last year and likely will be given a caretaker role in the new administration.
State media proclaimed his twenty-something son and heir-apparent Kim Jong Un the "great successor."
After 17 years in power, Kim died of heart failure on Saturday at age 69 while carrying out official duties on a train trip.
Kim died "from a great mental and physical strain," the Korean Central News Agency reported. Kim, who had received medical treatment for cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases over a long period, suffered "an advanced acute myocardial infarction, complicated with a serious heart shock" on the train, it added.
The report said that every possible first-aid measure was taken immediately, which failed to save Kim's life, adding that an autopsy was done on Sunday and "fully confirmed" the diagnosis. Kim is believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008.
On the streets of Pyongyang, people wailed in grief, some kneeling on the ground or bowing repeatedly. Children and adults laid flowers at key memorials.
Giant painting
A tearful Kim Yong Ho said Kim Jong Il had made people's lives happier. "That is what he was doing when he died: working, traveling on a train," he said.
Other North Koreans walked in line past a giant painting of Kim Jong Il and his late father, national founder Kim Il Sung, standing together on Mount Paektu, Kim Jong Il's official birthplace. Wreaths were neatly placed below the painting.
"How could the heavens be so cruel? Please come back, general. We cannot believe you're gone," Hong Son Ok shouted in an interview with North Korea's official television, her body shaking wildly.
"He passed away too suddenly to our profound regret," said a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency. "The heart of Kim Jong Il stopped beating, but his noble and august name and benevolent image will always be remembered by our army and people."
North Korea fell short of any official statements on a succession, but gave clear indications that Kim Jong Un, the third son of Kim Jong Il, would be in charge.
North Korea said in a dispatch that the people and the military "have pledged to uphold the leadership of comrade Kim Jong Un" and called him a "great successor" of the country's revolutionary philosophy of juche, or self reliance.
Mourning period
North Korea said it would place Kim's body in the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang and that his funeral would be on December 28. No entertainment will be allowed during a 10-day mourning period, and the country would accept no "foreign delegations hoping to express condolences," it said.
The death comes at a sensitive time as North Korea prepares for next year's 100th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il Sung. The preparations include massive construction projects as part of Kim Jong Il's promise to bring prosperity.
North Korea conducted at least one short-range missile test yesterday, a South Korean official said. But South Korea's military sees the firing as part of a scheduled routine drill, instead of a "provocation," the official said. North Korea conducted two nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009 and is thought to have enough plutonium for at least a half-dozen weapons. But experts doubt that it has mastered the technology to mount a nuclear warhead on a missile.
In Seoul, parliamentary official Lee Kyu-yun said he was thinking of stocking up food in case of soaring military tensions.
Some analysts, however, said Kim's death was unlikely to plunge the country into chaos because it was already preparing for a transition. Kim Jong Il indicated a year ago that Kim Jong Un would be his successor, putting him in high-ranking posts.
The young man's aunt's husband, Jang Song Thaek, was promoted last year and likely will be given a caretaker role in the new administration.
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