North Korean television announced in a "special broadcast" that its leader Kim Jong Il has died in Pyongyang, the AP reports.
Kim's death was announced Monday from the state capital of Pyongyang. He reportedly suffered a stroke in 2008, but appeared relatively healthy on recent trips around Asia, which were documented by state media.
Reuters adds that the country had begun transferring power to his son, Kim Jong-un, who is believed to be in his late 20s.
We have to wonder now whether his son will be more awful, or if there might be a break in the darkness. Literally...
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