World reactions over top DPRK leader's death
Photo provided by KCNA news agency shows Kim Jong Il (1st R), top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), gestures as he watches a military parade in celebration of the 63rd anniversary of the DPRK's founding, in Pyongyang Sept. 9, 2011. Kim Jong Il passed away on Dec. 17, 2011 at the age of 69 "from a great mental and physical strain," DPRK's official KCNA news agency reported on Dec. 19, 2011. (Xinhua/KCNA)
Immediately after the DPRK's KCNA news agency reported Kim's death, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak convened the National Security Council (NSC) to discuss follow-up measures with officials including the foreign minister and the defense chief.
Lee also ordered all government employees be on emergency alert, a measure that would restrict their unauthorized leaves.
"The government will keep a close eye on developments in North Korea (DPRK)," Ahn Kwang-chan, a senior presidential secretary for national crisis management, said after the NSC meeting. " President Lee asked South Koreans to remain calm and focus on daily economic activity."
The president confirmed at the meeting all necessary measures are being taken based on the crisis management manual, Ahn added.
Lee also spoke with U.S. President Barak Obama on the phone and agreed to closely cooperate with each other on the matter, his office Cheong Wa Dae said.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), meanwhile, put the military on emergency alert and called an emergency meeting.
The JCS has stepped up border surveillance, but no unusual activity has been detected yet, according to the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency.
JCS officials are reportedly considering raising both the Defcon defense readiness status and the Watchcon surveillance status.
South Korean police also intensified vigilance.
"We are closely monitoring reports that Kim Jong Il is dead," White House spokesman Jay Carney said in a statement.
"The president has been notified, and we are in close touch with our allies in South Korea and Japan," he added. "We remain committed to stability on the Korean peninsula, and to the freedom and security of our allies."
Kim Jong Il passed away Saturday at the age of 69 "from a great mental and physical strain," the DPRK's official KCNA news agency reported on Monday.
Kim died "from a great mental and physical strain at 08:30 (2330 GMT Friday) Dec. 17, 2011, on a train during a field guidance tour," said the report.
Kim, who had received medical treatment for his cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases for a long period, suffered "an advanced acute myocardial infarction, complicated with a serious heart shock" on the train, it added.
Rudd said the news of death does not come as a surprise but at the moment "all analysts on North Korea (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea) are handicapped by what we don't know."
Rudd said he has spoken with the South Korea ambassador not long before and the Australian government will keep close contacts with allies in the region.
"We need to wait to see the new shape of the North Korean leadership," he said.
Rudd said we are at a critical junction in history and an opportunity for North Korea of leadership and to engage with the rest of the world.
Noda also urged officials to make full preparations for contingencies while Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba asked foreign ministry to prepare for any events after Kim's death, according to local reports.
Defense officials have been asked to be vigilant after Kim's death, repots said.
Fujimura said Japan was aware of Kim's death through DPRK's TV broadcast and will keep an eye on next U.S.-DPRK contact.
Japan has already discussed DPRK leader Kim Jong Il's death with the U.S., South Korea, and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda urged officials to keep in touch with the U.S., China and South Korea over the issue, according to Fujimura.
Noda also urged officials to make full preparations for contingencies while defense officials have also been asked to be vigilant after Kim's death, said Fujimura.
Noda canceled a planned street speech at noon and returned to his office after Kim's death was reported. But Japan has so far no plan to change Noda's diplomatic schedule, said Fujimura.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama called South Korean President Lee Myung-bak following the death of Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), reaffirming U.S. strong commitment to the stability of the Korean Peninsula and the security of South Korea, the White House said in a statement on Monday.
WELLINGTON, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said on Monday he believed the death of the Democratic People' s Republic of Korea (DPRK) top leader Kim Jong Il will spark some concerns about what that means for the country's future.
Kim Jong Il has died at the age of 69 "from a great mental and physical strain," the official KCNA news agency reported on Monday.
Key said he does hope for a smooth transition and a better outlook for the people of DPRK.