North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has died, a tearful state television announcer dressed in black reported. The announcer said that the 69-year-old had died of physical and mental over-work while on a train trip, on his way to give "field guidance".
He had suffered a stroke in 2008, but appeared to have recovered.
Known at home as "the Dear Leader", Kim took over North Korea in 1994 when his father and founder of the reclusive state, Kim Il-sung, known as "the Great Leader", died.
The state news agency called on North Koreans to follow Kim's son and designated successor, Kim Jong-un.
South Korea's Yonhap news agency says the South's military has been put on emergency alert.
The presidential Blue House has called an emergency National Security Council meeting, Yonhap said.作者: 安德森 时间: 2011-12-20 10:41