NCNK Briefing Book: After Kim Jong-il

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton:

With the passing of National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong Il, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is now in a period of national mourning.  We are deeply concerned with the well being of the North Korean people and our thoughts and prayers are with them during these difficult times.  It is our hope that the new leadership of the DPRK will choose to guide their nation onto the path of peace by honoring North Korea’s commitments, improving relations with its neighbors, and respecting the rights of its people.  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.

ROK Unification Minister Yu Woo-ik:

Concerning the death of Chairman Kim Jong-il, the government conveys sympathy to the people of North Korea.

 

The government hopes North Korea will soon restore stability so that both Koreas will be able to work together for the sake of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.

We are shocked to learn that general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army (KPA) comrade Kim Jong Il passed away and we hereby express our deep condolences on his demise and send sincere regards to the DPRK people.

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Russian President Dmitri Medvedev:

Respected Your Excellency Kim Jong Un

Allow me to express my deep condolences to you and the leadership of the DPRK and its people over the demise of Kim Jong Il, chairman of the DPRK National Defence Commission.

In Russia His Excellency Kim Jong Il is well known as the leader of a friendly state who did a lot for the strengthening and development of the traditional Russia-DPRK good neighborly relations.

Osamu Fujimura, Chief Cabinet Secretary, Japan:

We express our condolences upon receiving the announcement of the sudden passing of Kim Jong-il, the chairman of the National Defense Committee of North Korea.

The Japanese government hopes that this unexpected development will not have any adverse impact on the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

The Secretary-General has learned that the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Jong-il, passed away. The Secretary-General extends his sympathy to the people of the DPRK at this time of their national mourning.

The Secretary-General reaffirms his commitment to peace and security on the Korean peninsula. The United Nations system will continue to help the people of the DPRK. The Secretary-General is closely following the situation.