Patch Question: Kim Jong Il's Death?

As North Korean's mourned the death of their enigmatic leader, Kim Jong Il, Monday, South Koreans were put on high alert and U.S. officials expressed concerns about the stabiity of the region as its leadership changes hands.

CNN reported that Bill Richardson, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations who has visited North Korea eight times, expressed "extreme concern" and questioned whether the country, which will most likely be led by Kim's son, will continue to engage in talks over food aid and nuclear power.

Although the United States had signed an agreement in 1994 with North Korea, in which the country agreed to freeze and eventually dismantle its nuclear weapons program in exchance for aid, but in 2002, the government admitted to violating the treaty and in 2006, successfully conducted an underground nuclear test.

What do you think of the news of Kim's death? Do you think the region will become more or less instable? What impact do you think this could have on international relations and U.S. security?

Tell us in the comments section below.