While North Koreans mourn and grieve over the departure of their leader Kim Jong-il, and back his son for the country’s leadership, the Republican US presidential candidates hail the death news and dub the late leader a “tyrant”.

As North Koreans mourned and grieved over the departure of their leader Kim Jong-il, and backed his son for the country’s leadership, the Republican US presidential candidates hailed the death news and dubbed the late leader a “tyrant”.

"Kim Jong-il was a ruthless tyrant who lived a life of luxury while the North Korean people starved," former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney stated; while  former US ambassador to China Jon Huntsman said that “Kim Jong-il was a conscienceless tyrant… His death closes a tragic chapter for the people of North Korea and offers them the best opportunity to get on a path towards a more free and open society and political reform.”

Romney indicated that "America must show leadership at this time" and work with its allies to turn North Korea off the treacherous course it is on and ensure security in the region."

Large masses poured into the streets after the North Korean State News Agency announced the death of Kim Jong-il Monday after suffering a heart attack that resulted from “great mental and physical strain”.

The masses cried and mourned the death of “the great leader”, while the state media hailed his son as the “great successor”.

The departed leader was a major enemy for the United States and its allies because of the nuclear program he headed, as well as his international alignments.

China and Russia sent their condolences, while Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez expressed his heartfelt sorrow at the death of the president, comrade Kim Jong-il."

In his statement, Chavez offered him “most sincere sympathies” and expressed "confidence in the ability of Koreans to conduct their own future to prosperity and peace," noting his desire for “Pyongyang to pursue its struggle for self determination and world peace."

For its part, Iran sent its condolences saying it grieved the loss of the leader of the "friendly nation".

In a message he read to his North Korean Counterpart, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said: "I was much saddened when I was informed of the passing of Mr Kim Jong-il, great leader of the friendly nation, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea.”

"On behalf of myself and my colleagues in parliament... I would like to express my sympathy to your government and nation and offer my condolences to you and his family,” the message continued.