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Kim Jong-un's death has been reported by several media outlets in China and Japan following concerns over his health. Early reports have indicated that the North Korean dictator died following complications from heart surgery he had earlier in the month. If reports of his death are correct the news will spell turmoil for the secretive nation a senior South Korean military source said.

South Korean operations chief Lt. Gen. Chun in-Bum told Military Times: "It's bad news for everyone. "This could lead to chaos, human suffering and instability." Retired Special Forces Colonel David Maxwell also told the Military Times a military response may be necessary by the US and South Korea in the event of unrest from the country. He claimed tensions between North Korea and the West could intensify following the death of Kim Jong-un. DON'T MISS: 'Kim Jong-un dead' – multiple sources claim North Korean dictator died

Kim Jong-Un's death could spark North Korean civil war and military attack against US

South Korean operations chief Lt. Gen. Chun in-Bum told Military Times the death of Kim Jong Un would be 'bad news for everyone'

Mr Maxwell said: "Since North Korea is a Guerrilla Dynasty built on the myth of anti-Japanese Partisan warfare, we can expect a large number of the military, 1.2 million active-duty and 6 million reserves, to resist any foreign intervention. "This includes intervention from South Korea. "Units of the North Korean People's Army are going to compete for resources and survival. "This will lead to internal conflict among units and could escalate to widespread civil war."

The confusion that follows the death of the North Korean leader may also be a cause for international concern.

Mr Maxwell said the confusion that follows the death of the North Korean leader could also be a cause for international concern. He said: "It is unknown whether Kim Jong-un has a designated successor. "We can speculate that perhaps his sister Kim Yo Jong has been designation as his successor. "This is based on her recent promotion and the fact she has begun making official statements in her name beginning last month. READ MORE: North Korea fires cruise missiles ahead of South Korea election[FOCUS]

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Earliest reports of Kim Jong Un's death came from Vice director of HKSTV Hong Kong Satelite Television Shijan Xingzou claimed that a very solid source told that the North Korean leader had died.

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