North Korea announces death of leader Kim Jong Il

Death was attributed to a "severe myocardial infarction along with a heart attack" in the report on North Korea television in Pyongyang, delivered by a tearful woman dressed in black, the Korea Times reports. Kim was 69 or 70, depending on the source, and reportedly was traveling on a train when he died on Saturday. State-run television urged North Koreans to unite behind his third son, Kim Jong-un. South Korea has placed its military and government officials on alert while things shake out, the Korea Times says. President Lee Myung-bak has also canceled his scheduled activities. LAT, NYT, AP, BBC, Reuters

Earlier today: Vaclav Havel, the Czech writer and dissident who became president, died Sunday at age 75. NYT, BBC

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