South Koreans are divided over the news of North Korean leader Kim Jong il's death.
About 100 members of a conservative group gathered in Seoul to celebrate the 69-year-old's demise.
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) PROTEST LEADER CHOO SEON-HEE SAYING
"We welcome the news of the death of Kim Jong-il who starved many North Korean people to death and he was the main criminal who sank the Cheonan ship and shelled Yeonpyeong Island. So we gather here to welcome the news."
But others are worried his death will spark further tensions between the north and south.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak held an emergency meeting on Monday.
The government is closely monitoring the situation and has troops in the demilitarized zone on high alert.
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) DEFENCE MINISTRY SPOKESMAN KIM MIN-SEOK SAYING:
"Our military is closely watching North Korean military activities and has strengthened our alertness. So far there's no special activity by North Korean military. We have not raised the level of the Watchcon. Instead, we strengthened surveillance posture by the U.S force and our military, sharing intelligence between the U.S. and South Korean forces."
Kim's successor is said to be his young son, Kim Jong-un who is in his 20s.
North Korea's "Dear Leader" took over leadership from his father and founder of the state in 1994.
Jessica Gray, Reuters
