North Korea’s Supreme Leader dies of heart attack

By Christina Lorella

Kim Jong-il, the Supreme Leader of North Korea, passed away on Saturday after suffering a massive heart attack while riding a train.

The news of his death was delivered on state television from North Korea’s capital city, Pyongyang. The cause of death was confirmed after an autopsy was conducted Sunday.

Kim Jong-il was believed to have diabetes and heart disease. It was also believed that he suffered a stroke in 2008, but chose not to disclose the information to the public following the event.

In 1994, North Korea and the United States both signed the Agreed Framework, which declared that North Korea would dismantle their developing and existing nuclear weapons program, in exchange for U.S. aid toward the development of nuclear reactors. This agreement was made shortly after the death of Kim Jong-il’s father, Kim Il Sung.

However, in 2002, Kim Jong-il publically admitted that, under his direction, North Korea had continued to produce nuclear weapons despite the agreement.

Mr. Kim stated that the continuation was necessary for security purposes and that North Korea felt threatened by the U.S. decision to store nuclear weapons in the neighboring South Korea.

Mr. Kim also said that the decision was made after tensions grew between North Korea and the then new U.S. President, George W. Bush.

In 2006, it was confirmed by North Korean news agencies that the government had  launched underground nuclear tests. While the first attempt failed, another test was completed in 2009 and was successful.

Kim’s third son, Kim Jong-un, was named his successor in Sept. 2011 and is expected to take over his father’s role. KCNA, North Korea’s state-run news organization said in a public statement that “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.”

Kim Jong-un will lead his father’s funeral, which is scheduled to be held on Dec. 28 in Pyongyang. The nation has declared a state of mourning which began on Dec. 17 and will end Dec. 29.