Kim Jong Il is dead.

[RandySF]

Just received the report on my phone.

[Texasgal]

1. What?

Really? DAYUM!

Big news!!!!

[bhikkhu]

2. wiki on his son -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Jong-nam

or rather the third son and heir apparent: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Jong-un

...and best hopes for some progress for the people there.

and on edit - another article on the heir: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11388628 and his picture:



I can't say that it looks like a promising change, but you never know.

[Wait Wut]

12. "and best hopes for some progress for the people there."

Absolutely. My heart goes out to them, but sadly, I have little hope for any "progress". I'll stay optimistic until things get settled.

[johnfunk]

29. Kim Jong Pugsley (Not the most flattering photo)

Where's Annie Liebovitz when you really need her?

[blueamy66]

32. Yeah, he doesn't look like he has missed any meals.

Holy cow

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Me too. Just now.

Wow. Big news.

[neverforget]

4. Well this is going to be interesting.

[tabasco]

5. Good riddance to a piece of human garbage. n/t

[LiberalAndProud]

6. Rumors of his death have been circulating since August.

Is it for real this time? Or has it been for real for a while? Wish we could get a peek behind the curtain.

Edited to say that it does appear that it is so.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-19/kim-jong-il-north-korea-s-dear-leader-dictator-dead-at-70-yonhap-says.html

Thanks to the posters who responded.

[RandySF]

7. I think so

It was just reported on CNN that the news came from North and South Korean television.

[Wait Wut]

8. It looks like it came from N. Korea, this time. n/t

[David__77]

9. The transition will be smooth. Count on it.

The son is ordained already.

[Historic NY]

10. Like a door nail ...just on bloomberg.

Kim Jong Il, the second-generation North Korean dictator who defied global condemnation to build nuclear weapons while his people starved, has died, Yonhap News reported. He was 70.

The news came in a radio broadcast at noon local time, Yonhap reported, citing North Korea’s official media. Kim probably had a stroke in August 2008 and may have also contracted pancreatic cancer, according to South Korean news reports.

The son of Kim Il Sung, North Korea’s founder, Kim was a chain-smoking recluse who ruled for 17 years after coming to power in July 1994 and resisted opening up to the outside world in order to protect his regime. The potential succession of his little-known third son, Kim Jong Un, threatens to trigger a dangerous period for the Korean peninsula, where 1.7 million troops from the two Koreas and the U.S. square off every day.

“Kim Jong Il inherited a genius for playing the weak hand and by keeping the major powers nervous, continuing his father’s tradition of turning Korea’s history of subservience on its head,” said Michael Breen, the Seoul-based author of “Kim Jong Il: North Korea’s Dear Leader,” a biography. “We have entered an uncertain moment with North Korea.”

Lampooned by foreign cartoonists and filmmakers for his weight, his zippered jumpsuits, his aviator sunglasses and his bouffant hairdo, Kim cut a more serious figure in his rare dealings with world leaders outside the Communist bloc.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-19/kim-jong-il-north-korea-s-dear-leader-dictator-dead-at-70-yonhap-says.html

[Politicalboi]

14. With first line in your post

Makes him sound so Republican. LOL! Too bad he died, he could have run in the Repuke primaries.

Oh and he was a pizza lover too.

[ellisonz]

11. AP is running with it.

[rdking647]

13. awwwww........

[uppityperson]

15. Here's a link and story. Dear Leader is Dead

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-19/kim-jong-il-north-korea-s-dear-leader-dictator-dead-at-70-yonhap-says.html
Kim Jong Il, North Korea’s ‘Dear Leader’ Dictator, Dead at 70

Kim Jong Il , the second-generation North Korean dictator who defied global condemnation to build nuclear weapons while his people starved, has died, Yonhap News reported. He was 70.

The news came in a radio broadcast at noon local time, Yonhap reported, citing North Korea ’s official media. Kim probably had a stroke in August 2008 and may have also contracted pancreatic cancer, according to South Korean news reports.

The son of Kim Il Sung , North Korea’s founder, Kim was a chain-smoking recluse who ruled for 17 years after coming to power in July 1994 and resisted opening up to the outside world in order to protect his regime. The potential succession of his little-known third son, Kim Jong Un, threatens to trigger a dangerous period for the Korean peninsula, where 1.7 million troops from the two Koreas and the U.S. square off every day.

[greytdemocrat]

16. Good.

[Terra Alta]

17. not shedding any tears over this one. nt

[jannyk]

18. BBC World is devoting 'Live Time' to it - ongoing

[backscatter712]

19. Naw, he's not dead. He just went home.

He was so ronery!

[AntiFascist]

31. I like the Margaret Cho version...

[Modern_Matthew]

20. Perfect way to close out 2011. Sad to hear that this might not change anything. nt

[edbermac]

21. Poor guy was obviously heartbroken over Tim Tebow losing today.

[WillyT]

22. AP/WaPo... 'North Korea Says Supreme Leader Kim Jong Il Has Died'

Pithy...

<snip>

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea says supreme leader Kim Jong Il has died.

<snip>

Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-says-supreme-leader-kim-jong-il-has-died/2011/12/18/gIQADVuN3O_story.html

Isn't it a pithy... isn't it a shame ???

Sorry George...

[pokerfan]

23. hasn't been a good year for dictators

but unfortunately, it's unlikely to lead to any change in that country.

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/12/kim-jong-il-has-died/250166/

[baldguy]

24. This will end well.

[EC]

25. I wonder when he died?

There was an article in the paper today about N. Korea suspending their nuclear program for food from us.

[dems_rightnow]

26. I suppose he's getting a rather stern talking-to.

Nice guy. Gonna miss that one.........

[tammywammy]

27. Best wishes to the people of North Korea

I worry for what may happen during this transitional period, but I hope there's change for the best.

[Fire Walk With Me]

28. What!? You mean this web site now passes into history?

http://kimjongillookingatthings.tumblr.com/

[LeftishBrit]

30. I hope this leads to positive change

I fear that, with that son of his, it may be a case of 'Meet the new boss, same as the old boss'.

[blueamy66]

33. Somebody on FB said that he should say hi to bin Laden

I concur......

[TheManInTheMac]

34. The magical hummingbird giveth, and the magical hummingbird taketh away.

[11 Bravo]

35. I knew he had been Il.