AP Photo
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il died, state television announced late Sunday. The announcement said that Kim died from physical fatigue during a train ride on Saturday, though later reports said it was from a heart attack. He was 69. Earlier during the day, the government announced that there would be a “special” broadcast at noon. The news is reportedly sending shockwaves through North Korea, as no one expected it even though Kim is thought to have had a stroke in 2008 and suffered from diabetes and heart disease. Kim came to power in 1994 after his father passed away. Kim’s son Kim Jon Un will be his successor South Korea's military has declared an emergency alert following the death. Recently, North Korea's ruler, or at least photos of him looking at things, gained fame as a Internet meme.