Haaretz and Reuters – 2011-12-22 21:15:01

http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/u-s-official-north-korea-leader-died-just-as-deal-was-struck-to-halt-nuclear-program-1.402562

WASHINGTON (December 20, 2011) — The United States was about to announce a deal that would put a stop to North Korea’s uranium enrichment program when it was announced that the country’s leader, Kim Jong Il, had died, a senior US official told CBS on Tuesday.

The Obama administration, according to the official, was due to announce that the US would make a large donation of food aid to North Korea, and in turn North Korea was to announce the suspension of its controversial uranium enrichment program.

Kim’s reported death on Monday came as the US envoy for North Korean nuclear issues, Glyn Davies, returned to Washington for consultations after talks in Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing over the nuclear issue.

US officials remain leery of North Korea’s intentions and doubts have grown amid reports that Kim Jong il’s health problems were opening a transition plan to elevate to the top office his son Kim Jong Un — a man believed to be in his late 20s, and about whom little is known.

Some analysts said Kim’s death — and the transition to a young and untested leader — could darken the outlook for the nuclear talks.

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