N. Korea undergoes major power change in 37 years

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, 69, died just days before the start of 2012, the year his government declared as the first of the country becoming a "great and powerful nation."

Pyongyang made official the succession of power to his third son Kim Jong Un by labeling him "leader" for the first time. The junior Kim is vice chairman of the powerful Central Military Committee of the Workers` Party and North Korea has thus made official the succession of power to the third generation, which is unprecedented in modern world history.

In the wake of Kim Jong Il`s sudden death, the political situation in Northeast Asia has fallen into upheaval, rendering it almost impossible to predict even the immediate future. Because he died ahead of the expected change in leadership among major surrounding countries, namely the U.S., China and Russia, chances are high that the resumption of the six-party nuclear talks and the mood of improving Pyongyang-Washington and inter-Korean relations will come to a complete halt.

Instability on the Korean Peninsula could also bring the political situation in Northeast Asia to a state of chaos.

In a statement titled "Announcement to all (Workers` Party) members, Korea People`s Army soldiers, and the people," the North Korean Central News Agency said, "Chairman Kim (Jong Il) passed away due to a sudden illness on his way to an onsite guidance at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 17."

"He suffered acute cardiac arrest in a field-running train car, which resulted in the aftereffect of severe cardiac shock," the report said, adding, "All treatment measures were deployed soon after the heart attack but he passed away nevertheless."

The reclusive leader`s death came 17 years and six months after he assumed power following the death of his father and North Korea founder Kim Il Sung in June 1994. From the time when Kim Jong Il was officially picked as successor in 1974, North Korea has seen its first major shift in power structure in 37 years.

Kim Jong Il`s body was placed at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace and his funeral is slated for Dec. 28 in Pyongyang. North Korea designated the days through Dec. 29 a period of mourning and will hold a central memorial convention on Dec. 29.

Pyongyang opted not to receive condolence calls from other governments.

North Korean authorities announced a list of 232 names for the funeral committee including successor Kim Jong Un. The committee chairman was not specified but since Kim Jong Un`s name was mentioned first, Pyongyang effectively indicated that he will serve as chair.

The statement said, "At the frontier of revolution stands compatriot Kim Jong Un, who is the Great Successor for the grand task of the juche (self-reliance) revolution and extraordinary leader of the party, military and people," adding, "By turning sadness into power and courage under the guidance of compatriot Kim Jong Un, we must overcome the crisis of today."

This is the first time for Pyongyang to call Kim Jong Un "leader."

In China, authorities reportedly beefed up surveillance at the Chinese border with North Korea. Quoting a human rights and democracy information center in Hong Kong, RTHK Broadcasting in Hong Kong reported Monday that China deployed more than 2,000 troops of the People`s Liberation Army in border areas including Hunchun and Tumen to prepare for mass defections of North Koreans.

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