Brussels, 20/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton took note on Monday 19 December of the announcement by North Korean state media that Kim Jong-il had died on Saturday 17 December. “The EU is monitoring the situation closely and is in contact with its strategic partners with a view to sharing assessments on the possible implications”, says Ashton in a press release.
European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek noted that, under the leadership of Kim Jong-il, “the North Korean people suffered unspeakable hardships. Under his autocratic reign his own people were terrorised”. “I hope the leadership of North Korea will understand the signs of the time. … This regime cannot continue like it did in the past”, he added, urging the North Korean authorities “to make concrete and tangible steps towards improving human rights conditions” for their citizens. CG/transl.rt)