Kim Jong-il Dead at 69

Kim Jong-il  has died at the age of 69 from a heart attack while riding on a train.  The North Korean communist leader will be replaced by his 27 year old son Kim Jong Eun.  Many experts say that there is a danger of instability in the power exchange as the new young leader has not been fully groomed for his new position.  Korea is a society which respects Confucian ideas of seniority based power.  It does not help that the new leader is so young.  North Korea has reportedly test fired short range missiles off its east coast this morning.  It is believed that this testing was just for improving missiles functioning and had nothing to do with the recent death of their former leader. Kim Jong Eun will be the third generation leader of the Kim Jong family to take over Korea since it's founding.  This family is the only family to hold power in this region since it's formation.  North Korea has quite a history of nuclear weapon development.  In 2006 and 2009 it tested nuclear bombs successfully and have made attempts at uranium enrichment for nuclear weapons.  Sanctions by the UN have slowed down the programs progress in recent years as well as hurt the country's economy.  Candidates for the 2012 elections have already begun their rhetoric on the topic as well.