North Korea leader Kim Jong Il was announced to die on Monday at the age of 69. The Korean Central News Agency said the supreme leader died of a heart attack on a train. The agency attributed his death to "physical and mental over-work".
Kim Jong Il came to power after his father, North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung, died in 1994. During 17 years in power, he remained firm in control, ruling absolutely at home and keeping threatening the rest of the world through a nuclear weapons program.
The Korean Central News Agency said the cause of Kim Jong Il’s death was a heart failure on a train for one of his “field guidance” tours.
Kim Jong Il with his father Kim Il Sung, right, in Pyongyang in April 1982.
Kim Jong Il’s marriage status is not clear but he was said to marry once and have at least three other companions. He has 4 children in total: 3 sons and a daughter.
Kim Jong-il claps his hands during the military parade ceremony held to commemorate the founding of the Korean Workers Party in Pyongyang, North Korea.
Leader Kim often blamed the U.S. for his country’s trouble and considered South Korea as a “puppet” of the Western superpower.
He may be best remembered for defying the international community and enhancing North Korea's nuclear program, while millions of his residents were starving.
Kim Jong Il’s funeral will be held on December 28 in Pyongyang. A period of national mourning was declared from December 17 to 29.
His youngest son Kim Jong Un, promoted to the rank four-star general last year, is believed to be a great successor after his father’s death.
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Kim Jong Il’s Cause of Death and Funeral Arrangements (Pictures)