North Korean news outlets announced Monday the death of longtime leader Kim Jong-il. Weeping news anchors reported Jong-il, who had been receiving treatment for “cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases,” died of a heart attack Saturday around 8:30 a.m. while traveling by train on one of his regular trips to give advice to factories, farms or military units. One announcer blamed Kim Jong-il’s passing on “physical and mental over-work.” Jong-il was 69.
Kim Jong-il became North Korea’s leader in 1994 after the death of his father, Kim II Sung. Known as the “Dear Leader,” Jong-il led North Korea through a devastating famine, strengthened the military and pushed for a larger nuclear weapons program.
Jong-il reportedly named his youngest son, Kim Jong-un, his official heir in 2009 shortly after suffering a stroke. Jong-un, believed to be 27 or 28, was given official duties last year. The ruling Worker’s Party declared Jong-un the “great successor” on Monday.
A funeral for the Dear Leader has been scheduled for December 28 and 29. His body will remain at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang until then.
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