Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), died last Saturday at the age of 69, the DPRK's KCNA news agency reported on Monday. 

DPRK top leader Kim Jong Il [File photo]

Kim died "from a great mental and physical strain at 08:30 (2330 GMT Friday) Dec. 17, 2011, on train during a field guidance tour," the report said.

Kim, who had received medical treatment for his cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases for a long period, suffered "an advanced acute myocardial infarction, complicated with a serious heart shock," on the train, the report said.

Every possible first-aid measure was taken immediately, the report said, but it failed to save Kim's life.

The report said that an autopsy on Sunday "fully confirmed the diagnosis of his diseases."

The KCNA also reported that the "Korean revolution" is now led by Kim's son, Kim Jong Un, and that the WPK members, servicepersons and all other people will be faithful to his leadership, citing a notice released Saturday by the WPK Central Committee and Central Military Commission, DPRK National Defence Commission, Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly and Cabinet.

The National Funeral Committee led by Kim Jong Un has been set up and the body of Kim Jong Il will be placed at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace.

The DPRK will be in a period of mourning from Dec. 17 to Dec. 29 and condolence will be accepted from Tuesday to Dec. 27, said the report, adding that the farewell ceremony will be held on Dec. 28 and the National Meeting of Memorial will be held on Dec. 29.

Kim once suffered a stroke in 2008 and was absent from public view for several months.

Kim was born on Feb. 16, 1942. In 1960, he began to study at the politics and economics department of Kim Il Sung University and graduated four years later.

Kim Jong-il was the Supreme Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea). He is the Chairman of the National Defence Commission, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, the ruling party since 1948, and the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army, the fourth largest standing army in the world.

In April 2009, North Korea's constitution was amended and now implicitly refers to him as the "Supreme Leader". He is also referred to as the "Dear Leader", "our Father", "the General" and "Generalissimo".

His son Kim Jong-un was promoted to a senior position in the ruling Workers' Party and is heir apparent.

In 2010 he was ranked 31st in Forbes Magazine's List of The World's Most Powerful People.

(Xinhua and Wikipedia contributed to the story)

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