North Korea’s Kim Jong-il dies at 69

North Koreans poured into the streets Monday to mourn the death of Kim Jong-il as state media hailed his untested son as the "Great Successor" of the reclusive state whose atomic weapons ambitions are a major threat to the region. Earlier, a tearful North Korean television announcer said the 69-year old ruler died on Saturday of "physical and mental over-work." Kim assumed the leadership of the totalitarian state in 1994, taking over from his father Kim Il-sung. He will be laid to rest next to his father Dec. 28. News agency KCNA lauded Kim's youngest son, Kim Jong-un, as "the outstanding leader of our party, army and people," but there was uncertainty about how much support he has among the ruling elite, especially in the military.