After 17 years reigning as the Supreme Leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Il has reportedly died of heart failure, and his son, Kim Jong Un, has been announced as his successor. With instability in the region possibly posing a security threat to neighboring countries and abroad, governments around the world are keeping a careful eye on the region.
What do you think Kim Jong Il's death means for the future of North Korea? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Coinciding with the weeks leading up to the Iowa caucus, Kim Jong Il's death may also prompt debates among presidential candidates about how to handle the future of North Korea. According to the Hill:
Mitt Romney said Kim's death "represents an opportunity for America to work with our friends to turn North Korea off the treacherous course it is on and ensure security in the region." "America must show leadership at this time," he added.
GOP candidate Jon Huntsman said Kim's death "closes a tragic chapter for the people of North Korea and offers them the best opportunity to get on a path towards a more free and open society and political reform" in a statement released Monday.
Huntsman called on the U.S. to "pay extremely close attention to the disposition of North Korea's nuclear bombs, nuclear materials, and other elements of their WMD program."
Do you think any U.S. media organizations will lionize Kim Jong Il?
