The death of Kim Jong Il has prompted varying reactions from both national governments and the public.
The U.S. White House issued a short statement saying that President Obama has been notified, and that the United States is "in close touch with our allies in South Korea and Japan."
"We remain committed to stability on the Korean peninsula, and to the freedom and security of our allies," White House press secretary Jay Carney noted.
Both South Korea and Japan held emergency meetings in the wake of Kim Jong Il's passing.
South Korea -- still technically at war with the North -- put its military forces on "high alert." According to the Xinhua news agency, South Korea's President Lee urged citizens to "remain calm" and continue their day-to-day activities.
The BBC reports that Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda "has set up a crisis management team." A spokesman for the Japanese government said the prime minister instructed the cabinet "to prepare for the unexpected, including financial matters, North Korea's domestic issues and border affairs."
British Foreign Secretary William Hague expressed hope that despite national mourning, Kim Jong Il's death could mean a "turning point" for North Korea: "We hope that their new leadership will recognise that engagement with the international community offers the best prospect of improving the lives of ordinary North Korean people."
A spokesman for the German Foreign Ministry said the country had "clear expectations" for North Korea's new regime.
"It is, of course, an opportunity that things there will change," spokesman Dirk Augustin told the Associated Press. "We have clear demands to North Korea: It must abandon its nuclear program; the catastrophic situation of the people must improve; and political and economical reforms must be implemented."
According to the BBC, Pyongyang's long-time ally China said it was "distressed" to learn that Kim Jong Il had passed away. An official spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry called Kim "a great leader." He also said China believes the North Korean people will "turn their grief into strength, unite as one, and continue to advance the cause of North Korean socialism."
Russia, another North Korean ally, also offered its condolences. According to Reuters, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters that he hoped "the loss which has befallen this amicable people will not affect the future development of our friendly relations."
Below, see public reactions to the death of Kim Jong Il from China, South Korea, and Japan:
