North Korean Leader Kim Jong-il Dies

North Korean state-run media reported Monday that Kim died on Saturday around 8:30 a.m. while on a train. Korean Central Television said he passed away under "great mental and physical strain."

The Korean Central News Agency said the 69-year-old died of an acute myocardial infarction, which triggered a heart attack, following all possible emergency treatment. The central news agency said an autopsy was performed Sunday to confirm the cause of death.

A 232-member funeral committee formed for Kim issued a statement saying a service will held for the North Korean leader on December 28th. The committee said his body is lying in state at the Gumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang. The committee added North Korea has announced an official period of mourning to last through the 29th and will not be accepting any foreign dignitaries at this time.

It is believed Kim suffered a stroke in August 2008, but he appeared healthier in videos and photos from recent trips to China and Russia and other trips he made throughout North Korea. Kim Jong-il ruled the North as the Chairman of the National Defense Commission for 13 years from 1998. He was in fact in power in 1974 when he was named the official successor of his father, Kim Il-sung, who died in 1994.

The South Korean presidential office has convened the National Security Council, and President Lee Myung-bak has also cleared his entire schedule for Monday. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) also issued an emergency alert for its entire military following the news. The JCS said they have not detected any unusual movement from the North Korean military, however, South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command is considering raising its DEFCON or combat alert level from the fourth level to the third.