North Korea announced the death of their leader Kim Jong Il.
His health was in decline, but the death of Kim Jong Il still caught the world and the U.S. by surprise.
Kim transferred power to his son 15 months ago.
The Obama administration says it is watching developments closely to see how North Korea's army of more than a million, adapts to the newest leader.
The U.S. has been considering renewing nuclear talks with North Korea and recently, through food aid negotiations with China, had made progress on efforts for North Korea to suspend its uranium enrichment program.
Senator Dick Lugar says a meeting with all the key countries, including Russia and China is critical.
Concern in Washington D.C., but in Manhattan's Koreatown, there was a sense of relief knowing the oppressive leader had died.