North Korean Dictator Kim Jong-il Dead at 69

Government run news sources in North Korea have announced the death of North Korean Communist leader Kim Jong-il.  Reports are that Kim Jong-il passed away on a train while visiting an area outside the capitol.  He had been in poor health since suffering a stroke in 2008.  He had been in power since 1994 following the death of his father.   The believed successor to the dictatorship is Kim Jong-il's son Kim Jong-un, believed to be in his 20s. 

North Korea's state-run news agency, KCNA, pleaded with viewers to support the new leader,

"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,"

A reporter announced Kim Jong-il's death during an emotional report on the state run news.  The reporter, wearing all black, said that Kim Jong-il passed away from physical and mental over-work.  Later, the reported cause of death was changed to "heart attack".  A funeral will be held on December 28th in Pyongyang.  Asian stocks fell following the announcement, and North Korea's military has been put on alert.  A member of the BBC in Seoul said that the death of Kim Jong-il will send shock waves across the country, an impoverished country with nuclear weapons and very few allies.

To many Americans, Kim Jong-il is best known as the villain in the 2004 film "Team America: World Police". 

via BBC