The death of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il has had a huge impact on people around the world, and Langley students are no exception.

“When I first heard about the news I was excited, but then I got worried about my friends and relatives in Korea,” said junior Hee Jin Cho. “No one’s sure what’s going to happen.”

Kim Jong Il’s 29 year old son, Kim Jong Un, will be replacing his father as ruler. However, South Koreans doubt that he will stabilize North Korean politics well enough. Some are worrying North Korea might threaten or even attack South Korea as an effort to stabilize themselves.

“Usually, when a dictator dies, you never know what’s going to happen,” said senior David Lee.

Koreans are especially worried because the North-South Korean relationship has  been particularly shaky ever since the incumbent South Korean President Lee Myoung Bak declared he will not be as warm towards the communist society as the two previous presidents.

In March last year,North Koreasunk a South Korean naval ship, killing 46 South Korean soldiers. In November that year, it attacked a South Korean island, killing civilians during a battle for the first time since the Korean War (1950-1953).

“My father is a diplomat and he was called into the embassy at nine p.m. on the night we heard the news,” said junior David Choe. Choe is one of several students atLangleywhose parents are Korean diplomats, thanks toLangley’s proximity to the Korean Embassy in Washington D.C. Some of those diplomats have decided to cancel their winter break travel plans toKorea, because of the recent events there.

However, a good portion of Koreans – especially teenagers – are not so much affected by the news.

“I don’t think anything is going to happen: their army is too weak,” said senior Daphne Na.

“The North attacking the South is a possibility but it’s not going to happen. North Koreans are only cowards,” added Lee.