Kim Jong Il, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), passed away last Saturday at the age of 69 "from a great mental and physical strain," the DPRK's official KCNA news agency reported on Monday.

Photo provided by KCNA news agency shows Kim Jong Il (1st R), top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), gestures as he watches a military parade in celebration of the 63rd anniversary of the DPRK's founding, in Pyongyang Sept. 9, 2011. Kim Jong Il passed away on Dec. 17, 2011 at the age of 69 "from a great mental and physical strain," DPRK's official KCNA news agency reported on Dec. 19, 2011. (Xinhua/KCNA)
Kim died "from a great mental and physical strain at 08:30 (2330 GMT Friday) Dec. 17, 2011, on train during a field guidance tour," said the report.

Kim, who had received medical treatment for his cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases for a long period, suffered "an advanced acute myocardial infarction, complicated with a serious heart shock," on the train, it added.

The report said that every possible first-aid measure was taken immediately, which failed to save Kim's life, adding that an autopsy on Sunday "fully confirmed the diagnosis of his diseases."

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet