What's uncertain far outweighs what's known about the future in North Korea, now that Kim Jong-il has died.
The 70-year-old dictator (there are some reports putting at 69 - and that there's a discrepancy says much about what passes for truth in that country) died on a train while carrying on "official duties" on Saturday.
However, his death wasn't announced till Monday morning, Korean time. Another fact that says much about what passes for truth; the President dies on Saturday, but it's not announced for nearly two days?
Sheesh.
Traditionally, there's a three-year mourning period before the next leader "officially" takes over. That's what Kim Jong-Il did with his father, Kim Il Sung. And there are some experts who assume that's what Kim Jong-Un (Kim Jong-Il's 20-something year old son) will do with his father.
He's already been something of a dictator-in-waiting since his father's stroke three years ago. But because North Korea is one of the darkest countries on the planet in terms of getting information out, we simply don't yet know what has been done. Or what will be done.
We'll have the latest on the big changeover - and reaction - led by our Jim Dolan, tonight at 11.
Also at 11, we're taking a closer look at those so-called "QR" codes that are popping up everywhere. Quick Response codes are bar-code kind of symbols that can be recognized by smart phones and similar gadgets. So all you do - once you've downloaded the app - is point and click. And - presto - the item can be yours.
Our Jamie Roth has the 4-1-1 on these QR's.
And we'll have the latest on the Presidential race, including a violation filed by the FEC against Newt Gingrich because one of his own organizations sold mailing lists to his campaign. This happens as Mr. Gingrich's one-time lead in Iowa seems to be collapsing as fast as it rose. He and Mitt Romney are now in a virtual tie for the Iowa caucuses.
And a bizarre out-of-nowhere announcement from Sarah Palin. Remember her? She tells one cable news network that "it's not too late for folks to jump in" to the race. "Who knows what will happen in the future."
We'll also have any breaking news of the night, plus Meteorologist Lee Goldberg's AccuWeather forecast, and Rob Powers with the night's sports. I hope you can join Sade Baderinwa and me, tonight at 11.
And a P.S. We're looking once again to read your emails on air this Christmas morning. While we love your "have a happy holiday" messages, we're especially looking for your thoughts on this Christmas, 2011 maybe someone you miss, your thoughts for the new year (there's a big election, maybe you've heard about it), or what you remember from the year past. Please send them HERE or to my email, Bill.S.Ritter@ABC.Com. I look forward to hearing from you.
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