The world reacts to Kim Jong Il's death

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il died of a heart attack Saturday while on a train trip, state media reported on Monday, sparking immediate concern over who is in control of the reclusive state and its nuclear program.

1. The death of Kim Jong Il

   1. Updated 6 minutes ago 12/19/2011 7:53:30 AM +00:00 N. Korean leader Kim Jong Il dead at 69
   2. Even in death, details of Kim Jong Il's life elusive
   3. Updated 23 minutes ago 12/19/2011 7:36:23 AM +00:00 The world reacts to Kim Jong Il's death
   4. Updated 94 minutes ago 12/19/2011 6:25:27 AM +00:00 N. Korea calls Kim Jong Il's son 'great successor'
   5. PhotoBlog: The life of Kim Jong Il
   6. Kim Jong Il impoverished, enslaved his people

Here is how the world has reacted to his death.

White House press secretary Jay Carney:
"We remain committed to stability on the Korean peninsula, and to the freedom and security of our allies."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu:
"We were distressed to learn of the unfortunate passing of the senior-most North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, and we express our grief about this and extend our condolences to the people of North Korea."

Australia's Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd:
"The absolute importance is maintain calm and restraint at this time of critical leadership transition ... This is the single most armed militarily zone anywhere in the world."

Victor Cha, a Korea expert with the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington:
"Up until tonight, if anybody had asked you what would be the most likely scenario under which the North Korean regime could collapse, the answer would be the sudden death of Kim Jong Il. And so I think right now we're in that scenario and we don't know how it's going to turn out."

Story: N. Korea calls Kim Jong Il's son 'great successor'

Kim Ok-tae, a 58-year old pastor from Seoul, South Korea:
"The whole earth should celebrate it as much as Christmas. I am not at all afraid. I don't see any likelihood of North Korea lashing out unexpectedly."

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura:
"We hope this sudden event does not have an adverse effect on the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula."

Dane Chamorro, a regional director at the Global Risks consultancy:
"Often in times like this, the regime will do something to demonstrate that it is still viable, powerful, still a threat. It might be a missile test, some type of aggression or conflict."

The Associated Press, Reuters and msnbc.com staff contributed to this report.

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