Community reaction to Kim Jong-il's death and North Korea's future

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il died at the age 69 of heart failure on Dec. 17. In North Korea. (Dmitry Astakhov/RIA Novosti/Associated Press) The death of North Korea's "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-il elicited few condolences from the CBC Community, who weighed in on what might come next for the isolated nation.

Reports said Kim died Saturday after suffering a heart attack. North Korean media dubbed his third son, Kim Jong-un, his "great successor."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Kim Jong-il will be remembered "as the leader of a totalitarian regime who violated the basic rights of the North Korean people for nearly two decades."

"We hope his passing brings positive change allowing the people of North Korea to emerge from six decades of isolation, oppression and misery," Harper said Monday.

In a survey on the CBC Community page, most respondents said North Korea is likely to become more dangerous or stick to the status quo in coming years. Several commenters, however, hoped that Jong-il's death could mark a positive turning point for the much-maligned nation.

• "Finally there is a chance of peace, stability and possibly re-unification now that the crazy leader is dead . . . The regional leaders there need to get together and come up with a plan and a vision that the new leader of North Korea will buy into." - useakme
• "North Korea is a nation that has spent the past 60 years brainwashing its people. This won't turn on a dime, but let's all hope this is an opportunity for change." - wire-brush
• "People crying on the streets shows you how successful the N. Korean's propaganda machine is. Millions are starving, out of work, and sent to prison unjustly in that country but yet people still cry when the ones responsible die." - Chris(ccp)

Several imagined the future under the rule of Kim Jong-un, who is thought to be 27 years old.

• "I certainly hope Jong-un will do the right thing and clean up Jong-il's mess that he left behind when running North Korea. Keep in mind the man was crazy; he wanted to destroy the entire world and kill us all!" - Dave Edge
• "Awful optimistic, and naive, to expect Jr. to come to the table for peace talks. From my understanding he is every bit the nut his old man was, and quite possibly worse." - HolyMacinaw
• "Great, just what the world needs. The 20-something son of a maniac is now in charge of nuclear weapons with a gang of old guard psychos telling him what to do . . . Lord help us all." - 40 YEARS 0 CUPS

Others said that the future of North Korea is anyone's guess.

• "[North Korea] is such a closed state that little is known about Kim Jung-un beyond his name and the fact he is the third son of the late Kim Jong-il. Whether he is any different than his father or not will become apparent as time goes on." - Tacitus
• "The so-called experts can polish their crystal balls: but in fact no one can predict what will happen in this closed society." - giant26
• "I guarantee you no one in Canada - or anywhere else on Earth - has even the slightest hint of what will happen in the coming months and years. North Korea has always been difficult to predict even for the people who know it best." - KevinRawlings

A minority expressed condolences, while others said that a death is never something to celebrate.

• "[During] times of great personal loss, if you cannot extend condolences, the next decent thing is to not express anything at all. What is definitely not needed are signs of hostility or glee at his passing. No doubt late night TV will extract entertainment from North Koreans' mourning." - Canadian Brown
• "I fail to see how attacking a person that is obviously loved by many in North Korea can do anything but harden attitudes. The conciliatory approach seems to be more appropriate at this time. Even Japan sent condolences to the Korean people . . . Now is a good time for an olive branch, not insults." - dollardays
• "Though I don't take pleasure in his death, I think the world will be a better place without him. His country has suffered greatly under his leadership. I hope that his death brings the people of North Korea one step closer to freedom." - justinburnett

Thank you for all your comments. Please feel free to continue the conversation below!