US monitors Korean peninsula situation after Il's death

The US is closely monitoring the situation in the Korean peninsula following the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's and is in close contact with its allies in the region – Japan and South Korea.

President Barack Obama has been informed about Il's death news, the White House said today.

"We are closely monitoring reports that Kim Jong Il is dead. The President has been notified, and we are in close touch with our allies in South Korea and Japan," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said in a statement.

"We remain committed to stability on the Korean peninsula, and to the freedom and security of our allies," Carney said.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton too has been briefed on the reported death of the North Korea leader, the Department of State said in a statement.

"Our great leader Comrade Kim Jong-Il passed away at 8:30 am On December 17," Korean Central TV reported. He was 69.

He had succeeded his father, Kim Il Sung, in 1994.

Last year, Kim installed his youngest son, Kim Jong-un, as the country's successor, but in his late 20s, he is still considered to be untested, the daily said.