North Korea says supreme leader Kim Jong Il has died, AP reports

[usafguy]

Just read on MSNBC... no further info.

Interesting.

Edit:

http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/18/9544976-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-il-dies

[Odin2005]

1. Good riddance to that bastard.

[47of74]

6. What's Jim Ward gonna do now?

[Zorro]

18. Sonny Boy's probably a chip off the old block

only crazier.

So Jim's probably gonna keep the same routines.

[johnfunk]

29. Will be worth tuning into Steph tomorrow just to hear Li'l Kim's Farewell

[MorningGlow]

33. That was my first thought

NooooOOoooo! I love Jim's Kim Jong Il!

[ashling]

92. Not to worry, his spirit has taken up residence in

Newt "fearless leader" Gingrich.

[MannyGoldstein]

54. Kim out!

Forevah!

[47of74]

103. LOL

[Kablooie]

38. For a guy who's name was ill it sure took him a long time to die.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Add Al Jazeera

http://www.aljazeera.com/

Yes, it was the first in my tweeter feed.

[Electric Monk]

3. link (I was just about to post this)

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/north-korea-leader-kim-jong-il-died-15185456

North Korean television announces in a "special broadcast" that its leader Kim Jong Il has died in Pyongyang. He was 69.

[Archae]

4. I shouldn't be cynical...

But I doubt this will change anything in North Korea.

It'll remain a Stalinist absolute dictatorship.

[David__77]

15. There could be important political and economic reforms though.

The ground has been prepared through more cooperation with China economically. Though N. Korea couldn't risk as much liberalization as China due to geopolitical factors, it could take measures that would appreciably increase people's living standards.

[Taverner]

91. Let me put it this way - even hard core Stalinists think the Kim family is crazy

And Soviet cables from back in the day called the Kim Il Sung regime paranoid and repressive.

[grantcart]

5. CNN reporting

[Kablooie]

7. Doornailed! Finally.

His son is just as insane though, according to the stories I've read.

Though there may be a power struggle which could upset his son's smooth accession to the leadership.

[uppityperson]

8. Here's a link, 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.

[applegrove]

9. vibes to all the people of the Korean Peninsula and that the North now has an orderly transition to

democracy.

[meow2u3]

28. I hope and pray for Korea finally to be united

under democratic governance.

[Modern_Matthew]

10. @YonhapNews has all the latest info on Twitter...

Latest tweet:

" (URGENT) S. Korean military declares emergency alert following death of Kim Jong-il "

[Rhiannon12866]

11. Hugh news!!! Thanks for posting this...

I wonder what's going to happen now. This has to be change for the better...

[David__77]

12. I hope stability is maintained on the peninsula.

Of course Kim Jong Un will succeed his father as chairman of the NDC, the ruling body, but I suspect that other key figures will emerge. There will be no destabilization politically resulting from this.

[Old and In the Way]

100. It's a moment of great uncertainty.

Kim Jung Un has had some exposure to the Western world so he may well think differently than Dad. The question is how the rest of the current regime will react to him as the leader. If he disappears, then NK becomes headless and I can imagine that will just increase the tension inside and outside of the country. He doesn't have a lot of experience in the state's affairs and I have no idea what is relationship is with the ruling committee's and the military. Are they reform minded? I can't believe that this generation of North Koreans would want to continue such a system...there are no real rewards for anyone in the country right now.

[orpupilofnature57]

13. Blabba O'seniley and Rush to Limp awe, will be full of

disparaging remarks about president Obama.

[Vogon_Glory]

43. Too True

Too true, despite their roles in foisting another member of a political dynasty on us in 2000.

No doubt the Shammity lad will try to do his vaccuous bit, too.

At the risk of offending DU's hard-core socialists, I wish that the North Korean regime would quietly implode and that part of the Korean peninsula would start re-developing. Then we could wish Limblot, Bill-Oh, the Shammity lad, and the Savage Weiner prolonged and extended vacations in some backwater hotel (and one lacking internet or reliable phone service!) north of the 38th parallel so they could enjoy the full glory of a Korean winter.

[Muskypundit]

63. Is there any socialists here that condone the government of NK?

I know I dont, and I am so far left I can see Russia from my backyard.

[Odin2005]

89. There are one or two Stalinists here

One of them (who is posting in this thread), also bashed the protestors in Egypt.

[liberal N proud]

14. Here is to hoping this will signal the end to the oppression of the North Korean people

I doubt it will, but one can hope.

[NYC Liberal]

16. Unfortunately, the son is just as bat shit insane.

[tawadi]

23. I was going to say this but couldn't think of the words

As well said as could be. lol

[AngryOldDem]

70. One can hope, but it won't happen with Junior.

I don't know who is next in line after the son, but I really see no appreciable ideological change happening in North Korea for a very, very, very long time.

I just hope that the son doesn't try to "prove" how "worthy" he is by starting shit with South Korea, and other areas in Asia.

[Little Tich]

17. This is scary news for me. Although I won't regret his passing away,

any change in the DPRK can be dangerous. Will Kim Jong Un take over, or will the military get the upper hand? Either way, instability in a country that has access to the Bomb and a extremely aggressive military must be avoided. I imagine that China is working overtime trying to understand what's going on and to defuse any potential disasters. When it comes to the DPRK, there are several worst case scenarios; there is so much that can go wrong.

[David__77]

22. Kim Jong Un won't be victim of coup.

That can't happen. The "holy family" is far too central to the Juche ideology. And without the ideological basis, there is no basis for the state's existence.

The death isn't surprising. Kim Jong Il had been quite ill for several years at least. The promotion of the son to general rank and his constant appearance on TV the last year or so was planning for this event.

[snagglepuss]

25. If the military took over would it be any worse for N Koreans than it is now? Might the

the military fragment into factions? Are there people in the military who want to wage war with SK?

[NYC Liberal]

30. I'm no expert on NK politics, but I have to imagine there are.

Every military on the planet has warmongers itching to start a war and do some "shock and awe"

[Dr_Scholl]

44. I doubt anyone in the DPRK military want war with South Korea.

It would be suicide.

[chrisa]

76. His sons are still ruling that place with an iron fist.

I think it'll be a case of 'meet the new boss, same as the old boss.'

[NYC Liberal]

19. Another evil piece of shit is dead.

2011 is a bad year to be an evil piece of shit.

[thelordofhell]

26. 13 days left in the year

Dick Cheney must be quaking in his boots

[Kennah]

61. Not unless someone is standing over him with a mallet and wooden stake

[bemildred]

20. This could get interesting.

[AnnieBW]

21. I guess he's not "Ronery" anymore

He's got Osama and Qaddafi to keep him company.

[jimlup]

24. Wow! That is major news ...

North Korean instability is scary!

[David__77]

27. So he died Saturday.

That is a picture from his last public appearance, at a supermarket on 12/15, two days before his death.

Korean Central New Agency website it crashed at moment.

Pyongyang Time site is up, and latest issue has nothing but articles about "inspection visits" with pictures like this:

[gateley]

57. Wow - what's that bottom photo? Looks like he was tipping over or something. Odd shot.

[Generic Other]

94. Why do Asian leaders go for that "classic" matching look?

The Mao jackets of another era have transformed into the windbreakers and parkas of this era. The Tepco workers and the Japanese all looked like they were in matching polyester golf clothes. When do they start sporting Star Trek uniforms?

Just bizarre. Maybe it's just the older generation. Yeah that's it. These people are all dressed to be on Lawrence Welk. They need to get out and watch more anime!

[Canuckistanian]

31. Not a surprise, really

He's been sick for years, and the propaganda machine barely covered that up.

Interesting to see what happens next. I won't expect much anytime soon.

[joshcryer]

32. Bunch of smiling North Koreans today.

I fear it will be short lived, though.

[GreenStormCloud]

86. Actually the NK population is in tears.

The Kims build an extremely strong cult of personality there.

[Grassy Knoll]

34. His heart couldn't handle...

Patriots beating Teablow.

[Critters2]

40. LOL! That would've been enough...but then you add the Packers,

and Dear Leader didn't stand a chance!

[Jester Messiah]

35. Bad year for dictators and scumbags.

Wonder if the Syrians can manage to rid themselves of Assad before the new year?

[Rosa Luxemburg]

36. Yes, it has been a bad year for dictators!

[Kablooie]

37. Ding dong the wicked witch of the north is dead. But the son also rises in the northern wastes.

[Neue Regel]

39. Interesting

Here's hoping that the people of NK have an opportunity to begin living lives of freedom rather than oppression.

[ButterflyBlood]

41. So Osama bin Laden, Muammar Gaddafi and now him

2011 hasn't exactly been a good year for mass murderers.

[loudsue]

78. If only the BFEE would all be next...

With Cheney and Rumsfeld, and all those who agree with them.

It would be a much better world in 2012!!!

[Vogon_Glory]

42. Good riddance to bad rubbish. I Won't Miss Him n/t

[JI7]

45. he was a piece of shit, all my hopes to the people of North Korea for a better life

[caseymoz]

46. With his son is taking his throne, can we call it a monarchy?

Run by the mad house of Kim?

[Posteritatis]

47. I figure we could call it that when Kim Jong-Il took power

This is the third generation running the place, after all.

[jmowreader]

56. It's called "dynastic communism"

But you can call it a monarchy if you like.

[caseymoz]

74. That term is bullshit.

Communism and monarchy are a contradiction in terms.

[jmowreader]

107. Monarchy is bullshit, or dynastic communism?

It's a dynasty because the country has been ruled by either Kim, Il Sung or sons of him ever since the Koreas were divided, and it's communism because...well, the Kims are a buncha rotten commies.

[caseymoz]

112. The one that has two terms.

Since you need more than one term to get a contradiction. I hope that clears it up.

Dynastic communism, in other words. It's like a fascist democracy, or a Jewish Nazi.

Communism can't be dynastic, because that means you have royalty, which is a formal class by definition. If the Kims have a dynasty, then regardless of North Korea's ideology, it isn't a communist state anymore. You could say the communist state has decayed into something communist in name only, but dynastic communism is nonsense.

[Justice wanted]

48. I'm holding my breath to see what happens next. He may have been a terrible dictator BUT

Now we need to worry about North Korea's Nuke supply and who gains control.

[TrogL]

59. Wasn't his son supposed to take over?

...and isn't he even more batshit than his father?

[T_i_B]

73. Kim Jong Ill's replacement looks like a right jong 'un.

.

[Renew Deal]

49. The list of a-holes to pass away in 2011 is significant

Bin Laden
Kim Jong Il
Ghaddafi

It's too bad that justice never came to lil Kim

[agentS]

50. I live in Korea. Everything will be fine unless

Kim's son Jong Un and the feckless yes-men don't stick to the script.
It wasn't exactly an unexpected event to begin with, so South Korea and our troops (USFK) are prepared for any eventuality, though we will have to see if SOFA 5012 (basically, a second Korean War) gets invoked.

So far, since he died of natural causes, there doesn't seem to be any war spark, but that could change after the funeral, set for Wed Dec 28th.

On an American note; this is why it is vital to have calm people in the White House. McMoron & Palin would probably use this time to attack or move a lot of aircraft carriers in the Sea of Japan. Bachmann the Halleujah nut might launch ICBMs at North Yemen thinking she's hitting North Korea. Paul wouldn't do anything which isn't the worse option but not the best, and Gingrich would probably start calling the Airforce to attack Pyeongyang with those outer space lasers he thinks Reagan put in orbit. Ronmey... ha! He ain't gonna win.
So, with that in mind, consider your voting options: it's not just your ass on the line.

[Ter]

66. Paul would do more than nothing

He'd bring the troops home from South Korea. The North might attack after that. Not sure the South can win with no help.

[pscot]

93. I'm not sure I care

[treestar]

95. ROFL re Michelle Bachmann

Too true!

[cliffordu]

51. Bummer.

I hope SOMEONE can feed the population there.

[trusty elf]

68. Palin: "Obviously, we've got to stand with our North Korean allies."

[IMG][/IMG]

[hifiguy]

80. Now THAT is funny.

Particularly the flag.

[treestar]

96. Of all threads to be causing me to LOL

One about NK leader's death!

That's a funny photo shop? Or is it a photoshop?

[Yavin4]

52. Damn That Obama Is Good

How many bad guys have to go away before the Republicans show him some respect.

[Posteritatis]

55. I'm gonna go out on a limb and assume this wasn't Obama's doing. (nt)

[Yavin4]

58. Or Was It??

If it was a Republican president, Fox News sure would give him the credit.

[treestar]

97. Yes. And if there is blame to be had, Obama would sure get it!

[jmowreader]

53. Good.

[Journeyman]

64. Of the dead, let nothing but good be said. . . .

Kim Jong Il is dead. Good.

[jmowreader]

106. There are some people it's hard to say good about even after they die

Kim Jong Il was a scumbag when he was alive and he's now a dead scumbag.

The problem with KJI is, he won't get into any religion's heaven for obvious reasons, and he's too fucking scummy to make it into hell.

[Kennah]

60. This story reads, "North Korean leader Kim Jong Il dead at age 69"

http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/world/asia/north-korean-leader-kim-jong-il-dead-at-age/article_cbdbb5ec-7710-5ad4-b1ae-7de8db53f761.html

My first thought was, "That's how I want to go!"

[htuttle]

62. Little Tiny Nuclear Elvis is Dead

That's about all the care I can muster about it.

[Oldtimeralso]

65. I Heard That Obama and Amtrak Joe Got Him!

Here is what the AP reports:
A state television presenter made the announcement Monday, saying that the leader died Saturday on a train trip, Reuters reported. The announcer said he had died of physical and mental over-work on his way to give "field guidance."

The real reason is that Seal team six infiltrated the NK railroad and took over the train and operated it under Amtrak operating standards!

He just could not take it.

[dipsydoodle]

67. No longer Il

Now Kim Jong Dead.

[awoke_in_2003]

69. he was so lonely...

[U of M Dem]

72. This reminds me...

Hope this lightens up the solemn mood (and doesn't offend Koreans)

[slay]

71. Kim Jong Dead is ill what?

it's so hard to know what's true coming out of korea these days. wonder who our next bad guy will be....

[progressoid]

75. North Korea Missile Test Reported After Announcement Of Kim Jong Il Death

North Korea Missile Test Reported After Announcement Of Kim Jong Il Death

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea conducted at least one short-range missile test Monday, the same day it announced the death of leader Kim Jong Il, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

Two South Korean military officials said they couldn't immediately confirm the report, saying to do so would breach a policy of not commenting on intelligence matters.

Both said any firing would be part of a routine drill and have little relation to Kim Jong Il's death. They both spoke on condition of anonymity, citing policy.

Yonhap cited unidentified government and military officials as saying the test occurred off the east coast.

...http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/19/north-korea-missile-test_n_1157379.html

[mahatmakanejeeves]

77. DPRK on the shortwave

I haven't listened to it in a while, but it is possible. I find it fascinating that I can hear a radio station on the other side of the world.

Voice of Korea:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_of_Korea

Amazingly, the DPRK has a website:
http://www.vok.rep.kp/CBC/english.php

Glenn Hauser's World of Radio. Anything that happens will be discussed here. He'll have the times of broadcasts soon enough.
http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/

The newest Digest will be here:
http://www.dxing.com/dxr.htm
http://www.w4uvh.net/dxlatest.txt

[8 track mind]

108. whats DPRK's frequency?

I'll see if i can snag it here in west texas

[mahatmakanejeeves]

114. I don't know.

SW frequencies often vary, depending on the season. That's why I gave the link to Glenn Hauser. Let's try this:

http://eibispace.de/

Sort by frequency in the .pdf format:

http://eibispace.de/dx/freq-b11.pdf

It's 77 pages long; search for the term "Voice of Korea." That ought to bring up the DPRK operation, not the South Korean one.

You can search by time of day too. Remember that the time used is UTC. Broadcasts usually come in during the wee hours EST, which could be 0800 - 1000 GMT. It's been a while since I listened.

Good luck. Best wishes.

[shoutinfreud]

110. don't forget their news site

http://www.kcna.co.jp/index-e.htm

Extra extra! The USA are bastards!

[Ron Green]

113. I just surfed North Korea's website. It's as if

there were the Internet in 1952.

[hifiguy]

79. Good riddance to batshit crazy rubbish.

That is all.

[L. Coyote]

81. Speak of the dead as you would have the living speak of your life.

What a bunch of useless comments in this thread.

Condolences to his family and friends.

[Homer Wells]

84. He set himself OUTSIDE the Human Race

and was one of the vilest rulers the world has known.
I feel as much sorrow for him as I would a cockroach!

[L. Coyote]

104. Actually, he is human and he is "othered" by your comment.

Attitudes engendering situations like the Koreas remain a problem.

[Rebubula]

90. LOL....please say you are trolling!

You are aware that this man is responsible for the painful deaths of more than a million people through starvation and inhumane 'reeducation camps' that are all over this tiny country.

Would you send the same weepy condolences to the Bush or Cheney family when the inevitable happens (not soon enough of course)??



If I was as big of an asshole as Kim Ill - then I would expect people to speak ill of me.




Seriously - I just hope you were trolling or trying to be funny. If not --- wow, what a wonderful rose colored world you must live in...

[shoutinfreud]

109. Are you FUCKING KIDDING ME?

Do you know anything about what is going on in that country under the direction of the people you're sending condolence cards to? Would you send Hitler's best buddies condolences? Fucking hell.

[derby378]

82. Well...

I guess we all know what the next South Park episode is going to be about - you know Matt and Trey!

Once more for the megalomaniacal bastard - with feeling!

[Scalded Nun]

83. A chance

Jong Un has a great chance here. Another nation of oppressed, starving people. Few individuals have an opportunity to change the course of a nation for 'good'. The few that are afforded that opportunity and take it are remembered fondly by their people and by history. I think the only true risk he would run is being ousted by upper levels of the military establishment. They have the most to lose. This could be done smoothly, without blood and could also result in a reunified nation. Given the opportunity I am certain the south would embrace their brothers and sisters warmly and without hesitation, especially as the main hurdle is now completely out of the picture. Much less baggage brought to the table.

[Silent3]

85. But who is going to LOOK AT THINGS for us now? WHO!?

http://kimjongillookingatthings.tumblr.com/

[harun]

87. I heard his son went to school in the West and attained a PHD in Looking at Things.

I'm expecting a smooth transition of looking at things.

[Silent3]

88. Well, maybe the job will get done...

...but it will never be the same!

[muriel_volestrangler]

115. We could give them Prince Philip - decades of experience in Looking At Things

Man, that would be a blast, him being the ceremonial Head of State of an Asian country ...

[The Genealogist]

98. The wack-job is dead, long live the wack job

[Jack Rabbit]

99. I have never wished a man dead, but . . .

. . . there are some obituaries I have read with a great deal of satisfaction.
--Attributed to either Mark Twain or Clarence Darrow, depending on your source

[ronnykmarshall]

101. Good-bye Daddy!

You always made us smile!

[AsahinaKimi]

102. I hope things turn around in North Korea

One of the sons had taken a little trip out of the country to go see a Madonna concert. I could just imagine if the kid decided to open North Korea up to the rest of the world starting with his neighbors to the south.. Imagine what things could be like if North Korea joined South to be come a full country again..it could be awesome ..


Guess we shall see..


Kimiko ~Yori

[ColesCountyDem]

105. Another crap bag gets his dirt nap! n/t

[craigmatic]

111. The people crying in North Korea aren't sad for his loss. They think thinngs are going to get worse

just like the USSR after Stalin.

[greg2012]

116. He had a taste for cigars

He had a taste for cigars, cognac and gourmet cuisine. Meanwhile the "happy masses" labored for a bowl of cold rice at near starvation level and dared not speak their minds for fear of imprisonment or being placed into a mental hospital. I think when most of us think of "transforming the world" it may take on a different definition than that insane version. A selfish megalomaniac who spouted a dictatorship of the proletariat while smoking cigars, sipping cognac and dining on delicacies. I hope you enter a new era of enlightenment and prosperity citizens of North Korea.....whose next in line, his son? ugh. Democracy, ulitmately (no matter how long it takes) will root in everyplace as the masses of humanity awaken and demand the dignity they deserve. Lets just pray we don't globally fall under the control of a cigar smoking cognac drinker who possesses all the nuclear armaments to keep us all cowering. The age old saying "Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death" rings all too true.

sciatic nerve pain

[Hugabear]

117. Holy thread resurrection, Batman

[WheelWalker]

118. It's a MIRACLE !!!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

121. Maybe this thread will outlive Kim Jung Un

[Brother Buzz]

119. Necro much?

[rayofreason]

120. Again? n/t

[LiberalFighter]

122. You might want to pay attention to the posting date.

[rayofreason]

123. Joke post n/t.