Flags flew at half-mast in North Korea on Tuesday as the country mourned the death of its leader, Kim Jong Il.

North Korean state television broadcast pictures of Kim laid out in an open coffin, with several people, apparently senior officials from Pyongyang's communist regime, lining up to pay their respects.

The streets of the North Korean capital were reported to be quiet, but crowds gathered around several Pyongyang landmarks to honor the deceased leader.

Official state media reported Monday that Kim Jong Il had died of heart failure on Saturday morning during a train tour. His official age was given as 69. He had led North Korea since coming to power following the death of his father Kim Il Sung in 1994.

The 'Great Successor'

Shortly after the announcement of Kim's death, the official KCNA news agency declared Kim Jong Il's youngest son, Kim Jong Un, to be the "Great Successor," which has been widely understood as confirmation that he would become North Korea's next leader. Kim Jong Un had been seen as the leader-in-waiting after being appointed to senior military and political posts in 2010.

International reaction to Kim Jong Il's death has been mixed, with some, like France, expressing the hope that North Korea could seize the opportunity to begin political and economic reforms.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe told reporters in Bordeaux on Monday that France was watching the situation closely, "hoping that one day the people of North Korea would find freedom."

Concerns about regional stability

Others, though, have expressed concerns about what could come next.

"This is an important change of leadership for North Korea, and it's important for the stability of the entire region," said German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, adding that he too saw this as an opportunity for political change.

Washington, a close ally of North Korea's bitter rival, South Korea, struck a similar tone.

"We both share a common interest in a peaceful and stable transition in North Korea as well as ensuring regional peace and stability," said US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton following a meeting with her Japanese counterpart, Kochiro Gemba, in Washington.

"We are deeply concerned with the well-being of the North Korean people and our thoughts and prayers are with them during these difficult times," Clinton said in a statement released later Monday.

"It is our hope that the new leadership of the DPRK [North Korea] will choose to guide their nation onto the path of peace by honoring North Korea's commitments, improving relations with its neighbors, and respecting the rights of its people."

Missile test

South Korea's military was placed on high alert Monday in the wake of Kim Jong Il's death. North Korea tested a short-range missile just hours later, but South Korean officials said they believed this was a routine test not connected to the late leader's death.

A number of countries have offered their condolences, including North Korea's closest ally, China, as well as Russia and South Korea. However, South Korean Unification Minister Yu Woo-ik told reporters in Seoul that South Korea would not be sending an official delegation to Pyongyang to pay their respects.

Kim Jong Il is to be buried on December 28, with the period of national mourning continuing until December 29.

Author: Chuck Penfold (AP, Reuters, dpa)
Editor: Martin Kuebler