Harper offers statement on death of leader

Prime Minister Harper says Kim Jong Il will be remembered as the leader of a totalitarian regime who violated the basic rights of the North Korean people for nearly two decades.

He’s urging North Korea to close what he calls a “sad chapter in its history” and to work for peace.

In a statement he said:

“we hope his passing brings positive change allowing the people of North Korea to emerge from six decades of isolation, oppression and misery. The regime’s reckless decisions have resulted in North Korea being an impoverished nation and a country isolated from the international community because of its dangerous nuclear proliferation and ballistic missile programs.