South Koreans got back to their normal routines on Tuesday after being stunned by the news of the North Korean leader’s death the previous day.

Pyongyang announced on Monday that its leader Kim Jong-il died of a heart attack during a train ride early Saturday, which sent shock waves throughout the South, with some voicing concern over potential escalation of tensions on the peninsula.

While citizens were sharing their opinions about the aftermath of Kim’s death, the country has not seen any noticeable agitation or speculative stockpiling of daily necessities.

“Upon learning of Kim Jong-il’s death, senior officials of my company held an emergency meeting to cope with possible impacts, which created a tense atmosphere in my office,” 27-year-old office worker surnamed Seo said. “But everyone seems to have shrugged off concerns, and things appeared to be almost back to normal today.”

Another office worker in Seoul surnamed Yoo said, “Though I and my colleagues were very nervous yesterday unable to know if something bad would happen in the North, we talked this morning over a cup of coffee about the North’s future led by successor Kim Jong-un, which we think would be more open.”

Kim Jong-un, the late leader’s third and youngest son, has been groomed to succeed his father as the country’s next leader since last year, when he was named a four-star general and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers’ Party. On Tuesday, the North’s media stepped up efforts to idolize the late-20s new leader, describing him as being “respected” as well as calling him a great successor and outstanding leader who is identical to his father.

While the public gathered in front of televisions in public places to learn the latest developments related to the death of the North Korean leader, no agitation or confusion as a result of the event has been detected.

“As most South Koreans warily have long been paying attention to the news about the Korean Peninsula, Kim Jong-il’s death was unlikely to make a huge difference in the situation here,” a 54-year-old South Korean man surnamed Kim said.

“But now is time for the government to wisely deal with such sensitive issues as offering condolences, which could create internal conflicts,” he added.

Whether to send condolences for the death of the iron-fisted ruler stirred controversy in Seoul’s political circles as well as among the public. 

(Yonhap News)