(CNN) -- Kim Jong Il's passing closes a sad and tragic chapter for the people of North Korea. His 17-year reign will be remembered as a dark period in their history characterized by great suffering and steady and dangerous provocations to the outside world. Though North Korea is an extremely opaque country, we can have some confidence that a transition plan established over a year ago is now being implemented. Public pronouncements from Pyongyang indicate 29-year-old Kim Jong Un has assumed leadership, and preparations are under way for a public funeral for Kim Jong Il, with Kim Jong Un presiding. Even the launch of a short-range missile off North Korea's east coast around the time of Kim's death can be seen as "North Korean normalcy."
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Jon Huntsman: Death of Kim Jong Il could lead to more instability
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He says U.S. must work closely with China, Japan, Russia to stay on top of events
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N. Korean missiles that could reach U.S. territory need to be closely watched, he says
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Huntsman says centenary of Kim Il Sung's birth may give rise to provocative actions
We should establish close consultations with other parties with influence in North Korea, including @placeholder and primarily China.
We should establish close consultations with other parties with influence in North Korea, including Russia and primarily @placeholder.