Kim Jong-il dies

PYONGYANG - Kim Jong-il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), passed away last Saturday at the age of 69, the DPRK's official KCNA news agency reported Monday.
Kim, who was general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army (KPA), died "from a great mental and physical strain at 08:30 (2330 GMT Friday) on December 17, 2011, on a train during a field guidance tour," said the report.
Citing a notice released by the WPK Central Committee and Central Military Commission, DPRK National Defence Commission, Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly and Cabinet, the KCNA said that the "Korean revolution" is led by Kim Jong-un now and that the party members, servicepersons and all other people should be faithful to his leadership.
"All the party members, servicepersons and people should remain loyal to the guidance of respected Kim Jong-un and firmly protect and further cement the single-minded unity of the party, the army and the people," said the notice.
Kim Jong-il suffered an advanced acute myocardial infarction Saturday, complicated with a serious heart shock, and every possible first-aid measure was taken immediately before his death, said the report.
The National Funeral Committee, led by Kim Jong-un, has been set up, and the body of Kim Jong-il will be placed at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace.
The DPRK will be in a period of mourning till December 29 and condolence will be accepted from Tuesday to December 27, said the report, adding that the farewell ceremony will be held on December 28 and the National Meeting of Memorial will be held on December 29.
According to a notice released by the National Funeral Committee,mourning guns will be boomed in Pyongyang and in provincial seats timed to coincide with the national memorial service in Pyongyang, and all the people will observe three minutes' silence and all locomotives and vessels will blow sirens all at once.
All institutions and enterprises across the country will hold mourning events during the mourning period, and all provinces, cities and counties will hold memorial services timed to coincide with the national memorial service in Pyongyang, it said.
Meanwhile, the institutions and enterprises will hoist flags at half-mast and musical and all other entertainments will be halted, said the notice, adding that foreign mourning delegations will not be received.
Kim Jong-il was born on February 16, 1942. He started working for the Central Committee of the WPK in 1964. In 1973, he was elected secretary of the Central Committee. In February 1974, he was elected member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee.
On October 8, 1997, Kim Jong-il was elected general secretary of the WPK.
He was given the honorary title of "Hero of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" in 1975 and 1982.
In April 1992, he was given the title of Marshal of the DPRK. He had also received the Kim Il-sung Order three times and many other awards and honors.