McCain: Kim in 'warm corner of hell'

Sen. John McCain appears to have no doubt where deceased North Korean leader Kim Jong Il may have ended up in the afterlife.

“I can only express satisfaction that the Dear Leader is joining the likes of Qadhafi, bin Laden, Hitler and Stalin in a warm corner of hell,” the Arizona senator – not one to be wishy-washy with his words – said in a statement Monday.

McCain indicated that the death of Kim, announced on state-run television at noon Monday, local time, could be a “historic opportunity” for liberation of North Korean citizens and usher in a more peaceful and secure era for the region.

“While prudence and caution are certainly advisable at this volatile moment, what is needed most is determined and creative leadership to bring about, at long last, a peaceful end of the North Korean regime, reunification of the Korean Peninsula, and freedom for all Korean people,” McCain said.

The White House has taken a cautious approach on the matter since news emerged Sunday of Kim’s death. President Barack Obama spoke with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak late Sunday. The White House said in a statement that Obama “reaffirmed the United States’ strong commitment to the stability of the Korean Peninsula and the security of our close ally, the Republic of Korea.”

The two leaders said they would continue to stay in touch and order their national security teams to stay in close coordination as well, the White House said.