He was known to his people as “Dear Leader.” Kim Jong Il, the eccentric and reclusive tyrant who wore platform shoes and ruled North Korea with an iron fist is dead!
Kim Jong Il came to power in 1994 after the death of his father, Kim Il Sung. His death was announced on state television from the North Korean capital of Pyongyang by a tearful reporter. Ironically, both men died of a heart attack.
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| Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Eun |
The diminutive leader suffered a stroke in 2008, prompting rumors of his death for years. But in an attempt to dispel those rumors, he appeared, albeit frail, in numerous photos released by state media as he toured state facilities and embarked on rare trips outside of North Korea to China and Russia. These staged photo ops also prompted rumors that North Korea was using a body double set up to hide the fact that Kim Jong Il actually died several years ago.
In September 2010, Kim announced that his foreign-educated and youngest son, Kim Jong Eun, would succeed him as the regime’s 3rd leader upon his death. However, since Kim Jong Eun is relatively young and does not yet have the command of the military, it is believed his uncle will be the real power force for the time being, while the son will serve as merely a figure head.
Kim Jong Il was 69. A state funeral is being planned for December 28th.
Hate to talk bad about the dead but good riddence!