Citizens were shocked by the news of the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il on Monday, with some voicing concern over potential escalation of tensions on the peninsula.
At noon, North Korea's state media (North) Korean Central News Agency announced the country's leader died of a heart attack during a train ride early Saturday.
The surprise news of the death of 69-year-old Kim, who ruled the communist nation since his father and national founder Kim Il-sung died in 1994, sent shock waves throughout the South.
Groups of people gathered in front of televisions in public places nationwide, with others glued to their hand-held smartphones as television broadcasters aired the breaking news.
"I am bewildered. I still can't believe it," Eom Yun-mo, a 38-year-old man, said as he waited for a train at Seoul Station. "Speculation over his death has circulated frequently, but this seems to be the first time his death has been confirmed." He added, "I am worried there may be more turbulences than when Kim Il-sung died."
A military officer cautiously voiced concern over the potential outbreak of military clashes on the peninsula. "The military will likely step up their vigilance on the border. I hope as a solider that this will not lead to a military provocation like the Cheonan attack or Yeonpyeong Island bombing," the Army service member said, identifying himself only by his surname, Kim.
"It's unbelievable news, still," 56-year-old man named Lee Chung-ho said. "But I expect that the death of Kim Jong-il will hopefully bring unification (of the two Koreas) one step closer."
The news became the main subject of lunch conversation among local office workers speculating on the future direction of the communist country, now expected to be led by heir-apparent son Jong-un.
"I am totally shocked by the death," Yeo Min-hye said, during her lunch break. "My colleagues are also unsettled. (I believe) This will not lead to a war, but could prompt tensions," she said.
A local advocacy group for South Korean abductees to the communist country expressed worries over a potential commotion within the North, calling for the South to continue efforts to repatriate South Koreans kidnapped by the North over past decades.
"I am concerned that the death of Kim Jong-il could trigger a power struggle in the North and disturb the country," Choi Seong-yong, chairman of the Abductees' Family Union, told Yonhap News Agency over the phone. "In the short term, attention should be focused on future moves (by the North), especially on the succession process of Kim Jong-un, the successor and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, as well as Jang Song-thaek of the ruling Workers' Party."
Although Kim's death is likely to prompt significant changes in the North, the South Korean government should keep paying attention to our efforts to bring abducted South Koreans back home even after the power succession, Choi said. (Yonhap)