North Koreans mourn the death of leader Kim Jong-il Monday while state media hail his son as the “Great Successor.” The “Dear Leader,” aged 69, died Saturday of a reported heart attack while traveling by train to inspect military, farm and factory installations.
A television news announcer, dressed in black and her voice quivering with emotion, said Monday the nation would unite behind Kim Jong-il’s third son, Kim Jong Eun, as North Korea’s new leader.
Although the succession plan has been laid out for many months, the elder Mr. Kim’s sudden death comes as Kim Jong Eun, believed to be 27 or 28 years old, has had little time to develop a power base.