North Korea’s state-run media announced on December 19th that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il had died two days earlier while traveling on a train.

The media said the 69-year-old Kim died at around 8:30 a.m. of an acute myocardial infarction that triggered a heart attack.

Kim ruled the North as Chairman of the National Defense Commission for 13 years from 1998. He was named the official successor of his father and founder of North Korea, Kim Il-sung, in 1974.

Signs that Kim was suffering from health problems first emerged when his absence was noted in public appearances, including a ceremony held on September ninth, 2008 that marked the 60th anniversary of the founding of the North’s communist regime.

He made several public appearances after that, showing signs of good health at times and signs of deteriorating health at other times.

Then last year, Kim named his third son, Jong-un, as his heir apparent and launched efforts to hand over power.

In recent years, Kim traveled several times to Russia and China as if to demonstrate he was in good health. However, these trips were likely harmful to his well-being.

Some observers have raised concern that the North could be thrown into confusion with Kim’s death.

But there are also a number of observers who say that no such confusion is expected. They say having Kim Jong-un in power is regarded to be an advantage for those with vested interests in the North and since key government, political and military posts are already held by officials who support the junior Kim.

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