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    December 19, 2011

World Reacts To Kim Jong Il Death

   South Korean military placed on alert

   VOA News
   Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS
   Kim Jong Il

   The news of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's death has drawn worldwide
   reaction.
   In Washington, U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State
   Hillary Clinton were notified of the North Korean leader's death.
   In a statement issued early Monday, the White House said it was in
   "close touch" with allies in South Korea and Japan. It said Mr. Obama
   spoke with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and reaffirmed
   Washington's commitment to stability on the Korean peninsula, and to
   the freedom and security of its allies. The statement said the two
   leaders agreed to direct their national security teams to continue
   close coordination.
   In South Korea, President Lee cancelled all of his scheduled events.
   The South Korean leader called a National Security Council meeting
   Monday and placed the South Korean military on emergency alert, with
   increased aerial surveillance along the North Korean border.
   The two Koreas remain technically at war since their 3-year conflict
   ended only in an armistice in 1953.
   In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda convened a meeting
   with senior advisors to formulate a response to the North Korean
   leader's death.
   China's official news agency, Xinhua, said officials in Beijing were
   distressed by news of Kim Jong Il's death and offered condolences to
   the North Korean people. China is considered North Korea's closest ally
   and trading partner.

   Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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