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US talks over Kim Jong-il death US talks over Kim Jong-il death
(40 minutes later)
The United States has been urgently consulting its allies in East Asia following the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. The US has called on North Korea to pursue a "path of peace" following the death of leader Kim Jong-il.
Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has spoken to South Korea's Kim Kwan-jin, while the US Secretary of State met her Japanese counterpart in Washington. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US was ready to help the North Korean people and create lasting security on the Korean peninsula.
They called for a peaceful and stable transition of power in North Korea.
Kim Jong-il died on Saturday of a heart attack. His death was announced early on Monday by state media.Kim Jong-il died on Saturday of a heart attack. His death was announced early on Monday by state media.
The 69-year-old had been in the process of formalising his third son, Kim Jong-un, as his successor. His death has rattled the region. US leaders have been holding urgent talks with the communist state's neighbours.
Kim Jong-il, 69, had been in the process of formalising his third son, Kim Jong-un, as his successor.
But the transition had not been completed and analysts fear Mr Kim's death could triggered a period of instability in the internationally isolated nuclear-armed state.But the transition had not been completed and analysts fear Mr Kim's death could triggered a period of instability in the internationally isolated nuclear-armed state.
Inside North Korea, citizens appear to be mourning Mr Kim - their leader since the death of his father Kim Il-sung in 1994.Inside North Korea, citizens appear to be mourning Mr Kim - their leader since the death of his father Kim Il-sung in 1994.
But his unexpected death has rattled neighbours. But around the region countries have been holding urgent talks about what the implications of Mr Kim's death might be.
In a telephone conversation early on Tuesday, the US and South Korean defence ministers agreed to co-ordinate closely and maintain a "strong defence posture", Yonhap news agency reported. "It is our hope that the new leadership of the DPRK (North Korea) will choose to guide their nation onto the path of peace by honouring North Korea's commitments, improving relations with its neighbours, and respecting the rights of its people," Mrs Clinton said in a statement.
The two countries' presidents also spoke shortly after the death was announced. "The United States stands ready to help the North Korean people and urges the new leadership to work with the international community to usher in a new era of peace, prosperity and lasting security on the Korean peninsula."
South Korea's military has been put on alert. The government has also increased its alert level against possible cyber attacks from North Korea. US President Barack Obama has spoken to both the South Korean and Japanese leaders to discuss the situation.
Chinese condolences Mrs Clinton also held talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba, in Washington for a pre-arranged visit.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba, in Washington for a pre-arranged visit. Defence Secretary Leon Panetta, meanwhile, spoke to his South Korean counterpart early on Tuesday. The two agreed to co-ordinate closely and maintain a "strong defence posture", Yonhap news agency reported.
"We both share a common interest in a peaceful and stable transition in North Korea as well as ensuring regional peace and stability," Mrs Clinton said. South Korea's military has been put on alert in the wake of the announcement on Monday on North Korean state television.
"We reiterate our hope for improved relations with the people of North Korea and remain deeply concerned about their well-being." The government has also increased its alert level against possible cyber attacks from Pyongyang.
A White House spokesman said it was too early to assess what impact a new leader might have in the communist state. 'Great Successor'
America would "judge the North Korean government as we always have, by its actions and by its actions with regard in particular to upholding its commitments regarding denuclearisation", Jay Carney said.
Japan's top government spokesman said Japan, South Korea and the US were considering holding high-level talks on the situation "at the soonest possible opportunity".
Chinese President Hu Jintao, meanwhile, has visited the North Korean embassy in Beijing to offer his condolences, China's Xinhua news agency said.Chinese President Hu Jintao, meanwhile, has visited the North Korean embassy in Beijing to offer his condolences, China's Xinhua news agency said.
Late on Monday, the Chinese foreign minister also met the North Korean envoy in Beijing, the agency reported.Late on Monday, the Chinese foreign minister also met the North Korean envoy in Beijing, the agency reported.
China is North Korea's closest ally and its biggest trading partner.China is North Korea's closest ally and its biggest trading partner.
It is keen to avoid a power struggle that could bring further instability to the region or any kind of collapse that would send a tide of North Korean refugees across its border.It is keen to avoid a power struggle that could bring further instability to the region or any kind of collapse that would send a tide of North Korean refugees across its border.
In a statement on Monday, Beijing called on North Koreans to unite under the leadership of Kim Jong-un.In a statement on Monday, Beijing called on North Koreans to unite under the leadership of Kim Jong-un.
Kim Jong-un, hailed by North Korean media as the "Great Successor", is believed to have visited China on at least one occasion in recent months.Kim Jong-un, hailed by North Korean media as the "Great Successor", is believed to have visited China on at least one occasion in recent months.
Not much is known about the younger Kim, who is thought to be in his late twenties. He was first introduced in public as Kim Jong-il's ear-marked successor in September 2010.Not much is known about the younger Kim, who is thought to be in his late twenties. He was first introduced in public as Kim Jong-il's ear-marked successor in September 2010.
In North Korea, a period of official mourning for Kim Jong-il is under way. He is to be buried on 28 December.In North Korea, a period of official mourning for Kim Jong-il is under way. He is to be buried on 28 December.
Footage from Pyongyang showed North Koreans crying and grieving for the long-time leader.Footage from Pyongyang showed North Koreans crying and grieving for the long-time leader.
Cuba has declared three days of mourning for the North Korean leader.