Death of North Korea’s “Dear Leader.”

Kim Jong-Il, former dictator of North Korea, was found unconscious Dec. 17, on his personal train during a “field guidance” and was pronounced dead. The autopsy shows he died from a massive heart attack resulting in quick death. His third son Kim Jong-un is next in line to take power and has been groomed for the position for years. It is still uncertain whether Kim Jong-un will be a duplicate of his power hungry father or whether Korea will finally unite.
Kim Jong Il lead North Korea since 1994 with a military growth policy. He refused to cut spending on the military while famines plagued Korea and tried to gain a nuclear arsenal. The people referred to him as “Dear Leader” and had firm allegiance to his family. When news of his death was announced in a tear filled broadcast, many people were seen openly weeping in the streets of Pyongyang.
Little has been heard from Kim Jong-un since his father’s death, but it is assumed that he is in mourning and preparing to take control of the country. Kim Jung-un has been following his father for years, being treated as a protégé and learning how his father led the country.
Some believe that with the “Dear Leader” no longer in control, the Korean peninsula is no longer stable. The White House released a statement saying, “The President reaffirmed the United States’ strong commitment to the stability of the Korean Peninsula and the security of our close ally, the Republic of Korea. The two leaders agreed to stay in close touch as the situation develops and agreed they would direct their national security teams to continue close coordination.” With the possibility of war in Asia, many believe that the U.S. will uphold its long standing pledge to protect South Korea by any means.
With America still at “conflict” with North Korea, which sanctions military action, it is up to the president alone how to proceed with the situation without need congressional approval. So far President Obama has asked that America’s relationship with North Korea be reviewed to reach further peace in Asia.