PYONGYANG: North Korea’s Dear Leader Kim Jong Il has passed away of a sudden heart failure. He was 69. He was reportedly died of a heart problem while on a train.

The state media reported in a special broadcast, it was due to the high physical and mental strain during an intense field inspection on December 17th that could have led to the heart failure. Post mortem done next day has confirmed the cause of death.

Undoubtedly, it is a big loss to the nation and the communist party of North Korea. The leader had taken the power after death of his father in 1994.

His father Kim Il Sung was a celebrated leader of North Korea and is regarded as the North Korean founder. Kim Jong Il is to be succeeded by his third son Kim Jong Un—expectedly in his late 20s now, introduced to the public in 2010 as his successor.

A national mourning period will be observed till December 29. Funeral of the beloved leader of the communist nation will be held on December 28th. Kim Jon Un will be heading the funeral committee.

The country may witness unstable times in the coming days and months. The nuclear power-equipped nation has a few allies in the world; and the process of succession to the third son of the deceased leader was expected to be completed properly by 2012.

The Asian stock market dropped low with the news. Among the affected share markets are South Korean, Japanese, Hong Kong’s and Shanghai share market.

The news may still lead to further instability in the Korean peninsula. South Korea, according to unconfirmed sources, has put its military on high alert. South Korean president has reportedly been convening the meeting of National Security Council.