The Korea Herald

Experts see key role for Kim’s guardians

Dec 20, 2011

Late leader’s brother-in-law Jang may be critical; N.K. media hails Jong-un as ‘honorable’ leaderNorth Korea experts raised a set of scenarios regarding how the communist state’s governing system will change amid growing uncertainties stemming from the demise of Kim Jong-il.One of the most likely scenarios is the third-generation transfer of power to his third son and heir apparent Jong-un will be completed with his so-called guardian group in the military and the ruling party backing him.But ex
[NEWS ANALYSIS] What now for six-party talks?

Dec 20, 2011

North Korean nuclear talks could be resumed earlier than expected: expertsJust hours before the announcement of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s death, Washington and Pyongyang had nearly reached an agreement on U.S. aid for the famine-stricken state in exchange for North Korea’s suspension of its nuclear program.AP reported on Sunday that the U.S. would hold a bilateral talk soon with North Korea to discuss providing 20,000 tons of nutritional assistance per month for a year, to push North Kor
N. Korea's rejection of foreign delegations raises questions about stability

Dec 20, 2011

North Korea's decision to not welcome foreign delegations to the funeral of former leader Kim Jong-il has some analysts in South Korea speculating about instability in the North, with the abrupt death of Kim heightening the uncertainty surrounding his untested heir-apparent.North Korea declared a 13
French doctor confirms Kim had stroke in 2008

Dec 20, 2011

PARIS (AP) _ A French neurosurgeon confirmed Monday that Kim Jong Il had a debilitating stroke in 2008, and described secretly treating the reclusive dictator while the North Korean public and world remained unaware of his condition.Dr. Francois-Xavier Roux _ speaking to The Associated Press on Mond
N.K. tests missile in East Sea before announcing Kim’s death

Dec 19, 2011

North Korea test fired a short-range missile on the east coast hours before the death of its leader Kim Jong-il was announced on Monday.According to local news reports, the South Korean government confirmed that North Korea conducted a missile test around 8 a.m.The number and type of missile fired was not confirmed. The exercise, however, is thought to be unrelated to the death of Kim Jong-il.“The event is an issue the (South Korean) military has been tracking, and it is thought to be unrelated
China expresses condolences on Kim Jong-Il: Xinhua

Dec 19, 2011

BEIJING (AFP) ― China on Monday offered its “deep condolences” on the death of the North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, a foreign ministry spokesman said.“We are shocked to learn that DPRK top leader comrade Kim Jong Il passed away and we hereby express our deep condolences on his demise and send sincere regards to the DPRK people,” foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said.China is a neighbor and close ally of the isolated Stalinist state, whose official media announced on Monday that its leader h
Washington weighs N. Korea policy after Kim’s death

Dec 19, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) ― The Obama administration is warily watching developments on the Korean peninsula after the death of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-il and may postpone decisions on re-engaging the reclusive country in nuclear talks and providing it with food aid, U.S. officials said Sunday.The administration had been expected to decide on both issues this week, possibly as early as Monday, but the officials said Kim’s death would likely delay the process. The officials spoke on condition of anon
Australia urges calm

Dec 19, 2011

SYDNEY (AFP) ― Australia on Monday said it was critical governments exercised calm and restraint after the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, while urging Pyongyang to engage with the global community.The North’s state media, in a shock announcement, reported Monday that the 69-year-old Kim died of a heart attack Saturday while on board a train during one of his field trips.Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said nuclear North Korea was the single most armed military zone anywhere in
North Koreans rally around heir Kim Jong-un

Dec 19, 2011

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) ― North Korea on Monday urged its 24 million people to rally behind 20-something heir-apparent Kim Jong-un as the nation mourned the death of supreme leader Kim Jong-il.South Korea, meanwhile, put its military on high alert, while people in the streets of Pyongyang broke into tears as they learned the news that Kim had died at the age 69 of heart failure. The United States said it was in close contact with allies South Korea and Japan.The North’s official Korean Centr
N.K.-U.S. talks likely to be delayed

Dec 19, 2011

North Korea and the United States are highly likely to delay bilateral nuclear talks set for this week in Beijing, following the report of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s death, a senior Seoul official said Monday. “In the wake of the North Korean leader Kim’s death, it would be difficult for the two sides to hold the talks in Beijing this week,” the official at Seoul’s foreign ministry said on the condition of anonymity.Pyongyang and Washington are set to hold the third round of meetings on T
Reclusive leader reigns for 37 years with iron fist

Dec 19, 2011

Pushes military-first policy, isolates country with nuclear, missile programsNorth Korea’s leader Kim Jong-il, who died on Saturday, had ruled the communist state for nearly 40 years with an absolute power that no one else in the Hermit Kingdom dared to challenge. Although he officially took his Defense Commission chairmanship in 1998 after his predecessor Kim Il-sung’s death in 1994, Kim Jong-il’s actual ruling of North Korea began in 1974 when he was officially designated as the successor of
South Korean government, military go into emergency mode

Dec 19, 2011

South Korean government branches and the military have been put on high alert following the announcement of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s death on Monday.President Lee Myung-bak called a National Security Council meeting immediately after he was informed of Kim’s death, and held an emergency Cabinet meeting at 3 p.m.Lee also had a phone conversation with U.S. President Barak Obama regarding the matter.According to Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Park Jeong-ha, the two leaders agreed to monitor th
N. Korea-watchers say Kim's son firmly in power - for now

Dec 19, 2011

The death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il has sent shockwaves around the world, but analysts played down fears of turbulence in the nuclear-armed nation and said a well-planned succession is under way.Official announcements Monday on North Korean media, which revealed Kim had died two days previo
Analysis: Kim's death leaves nuke talks uncertain

Dec 19, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il could put a brake on talks ultimately aimed at getting the secretive communist state to give up its nuclear weapons.Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader's untested third son and successor, is unlikely to risk any step that could be construed
China expresses condolences on Kim Jong-Il: Xinhua

Dec 19, 2011

BEIJING, Dec 19, 2011 (AFP) - China on Monday offered its "deep condolences" on the death of the North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, a foreign ministry spokesman said."We are shocked to learn that DPRK top leader comrade Kim Jong Il passed away and we hereby express our deep condolences on his demise a