(Press TV) -- North Korea's 69-year-old leader Kim Jong Il has died in the capital Pyongyang, the country's state television has announced.

The veteran leader passed away on Saturday while he was visiting an area outside the capital, the report said. 

Kim, according to the official account, died of a "severe myocardial infarction along with a heart attack."

He experienced another stroke back in 2008 but appeared relatively energetic during his recent trips to China and Russia. 

It is believed his third son, Kim Jong-Un, will take over the leadership position in the country. 

"All party members, military men and the public should faithfully follow the leadership of comrade Kim Jong-Un and protect and further strengthen the unified front of the party, military and the public," the state-run television said. 

Kim was at the center of a dispute with the US on Pyongyang's nuclear program.