'Surprise' in rok

SEOUL - People in the Republic of Korea (ROK) were taken aback by news of the death of Kim Jong-il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), but it didn't arouse worries about the possible impact on future relations between the two countries.

Reports of Kim's death have been splashed across media in the ROK after the DPRK's official KCNA news agency announced early on Monday that Kim died of a heart attack during a train ride on Saturday.

People gathered in front of televisions in public places, watching news related to Kim's death with keen interest.