The North Korean Leader Kim-Jong-il has died after suffering a heart attack, state news agency declared on Monday.

The North Korean Leader Kim-Jong-il has died after suffering a heart attack, state news agency declared on Monday.

The 69-old leader, known in the communist country as the "Dear Leader", died on Saturday aboard a train during a trip out of Pyongyang, KCNA news agency reported, urging people to unite behind Kim’s successor, Kim-Jong-un.

"It is the biggest loss for the party ... and it is our people and nation's biggest sadness," a tearful presenter said as she announced the death on the state television.

"All party members, military men and the public should faithfully follow the leadership of comrade Kim Jong-un and protect and further strengthen the unified front of the party, military and the public," the news agency said.
The news agency also referred to Jong-un as the "great successor to the revolutionary cause".

An autopsy was performed on Sunday, and the North declared a period of national mourning from December 17 to 29. KCNA said that Kim's funeral would take place on December 28.

Last year, the “Dear Leader” appointed his third son, Kim Jong-un, to a number of high-ranking posts in moves seen as positioning Kim Jong-un as his assumed successor after years of speculation about the elder Kim's fading health.

Kim took power in 1994 upon the death of his father, Kim Il-sung, who had led North Korea since the Korean peninsula was split in half by the Korean War. Although the two sides signed a ceasefire in 1953, tensions remain between the two rivals.

REACTIONS ON KIM’S DEATH

Tearful presenter on State TV announcing Kim's death

Following the declaration of Kim’s death, South Korea placed its military on emergency alert, calling for an emergency national security council meeting.

The White House said it was "closely monitoring" reports of the death. It also said in a statement: “The US remained "committed to stability on the Korean peninsula, and to the freedom and security of our allies".

S. Korean President Lee Myung-Bak spoke to US President Barack Obama by telephone.
"The two leaders agreed to closely co-operate and monitor the situation together," a South Korean presidential spokesman said.

On the other hand, Pyongyang’s biggest ally, Beijing, had no official reaction as the Chinese media reported the death.

Shares on the stock market in Seoul fell nearly five per cent amid uncertainty over the stability of the secretive nuclear-armed nation. S. Korean central bank and market regulators also announced emergency meetings.
Asian stock markets also fell after the news was announced.