Hillary Clinton issues carefully crafted message over death of Kim Jong-il but fears of political instability remain
The US wants to see a "peaceful and stable transition" in North Korea, Hillary Clinton has said, as Pyongyang settled into an 11-day period of mourning for Kim Jong-il.
The propaganda campaign promoting the 69-year-old's son and "great successor" geared up on Tuesday, with state media hailing Kim Jong-un as "the eternally immovable mental mainstay of the Korean people" and a person "born of heaven" – a phrase only used of the country's leaders.
But anxiety remains inside and outside the country about potential instability as Kim Jong-un, thought to be just 28, moves to centre stage. Although it had become evident that Kim Jong-il had chosen him as heir apparent, his apprenticeship has been brief.
Speaking to reporters following a meeting with Japan's foreign minister, Koichiro Gemba, the US secretary of state told reporters: "We both share a common interest in a peaceful and stable transition in North Korea as well as ensuring regional peace and stability."
In a formal statement issued later, Clinton noted: "We are deeply concerned with the wellbeing of the North Korean people and our thoughts and prayers are with them during these difficult times. It is our hope that the new leadership of the DPRK will choose to guide their nation onto the path of peace by honouring North Korea's commitments, improving relations with its neighbours, and respecting the rights of its people.
"The United States stands ready to help the North Korean people and urges the new leadership to work with the international community to usher in a new era of peace, prosperity and lasting security on the Korean peninsula."
John Delury, a professor at Yonsei University, said Clinton's message was carefully crafted.
"In both her statements there are some direct messages, definitely, for whoever is calling the shots in Pyongyang. Referring to Kim Jong-il by his full title [of National Defence Commission chairman]; talking about national mourning … these are carefully crafted to send really non-threatening messages," he said.
"One line, emphasising peaceful and stable transition, could sound like China wrote it."
But Dr Leonid Petrov, of the University of Sydney, said the US was unlikely to go far enough to make significant progress in discussions.
"If Hillary Clinton is prepared to restart the relationship and forget about the animosity and propose a peace agreement and roadmap for security and trade – I am pretty sure North Korea will be very co-operative," he said.
"But I'm afraid the expectations are of one-sided disarmament, democratisation and openness – without much commitment from the US to changing its unequivocal position of trade sanctions, no security assurance and no diplomatic recognition, so that regime change could happen at any time. That is what North Korea fears most."
The US had been gently attempting to improve relations with North Korea. But the prospects of fresh nuclear talks and food aid have been shelved as leaders assess the implications of Kim's death.
President Barack Obama has spoken to the Japanese prime minister, Yoshihiko Noda, and the South Korean president, Lee Myung-bak. The administration has also contacted officials in China and Russia, the White House said.
Japan announced it is to replace its ageing fleet of fighter planes with 42 stealth fighters, seen in part as a response to the threat from North Korea and concern over China's military buildup.
The expected decision to buy the Lockheed Martin F-35s, at a total cost of more than US$7bn (£4.5bn), came after the region was placed on alert over fears of renewed instability on the Korean peninsula.
"The security arrangement surrounding future fighter jets is transforming," the defence minister, Yasuo Ichikawa, told reporters. "The F-35 has capabilities that can firmly respond to those changes."
The US welcomed Japan's decision, with the Pentagon issuing a statement saying: "The F-35 Program Office looks forward to strengthening partnerships with Japan, and contributing to enhanced security throughout the Asia Pacific region."
The US-made fighters, costing an average of $65m each, will replace Japan's fleet of F-4s.
China recently revealed its own next-generation stealth fighter, the Chengdu J-20, which is expected to rival its best US counterparts when it goes into operation in several years' time.
South Korea offered condolences to the North Korean people following emergency cabinet and parliament emergency on Tuesday.
Unification minister Yu Woo-ik told reporters in Seoul that no official delegation will travel from Seoul to Pyongyang to pay respects. But he said the government will allow visits to the North by families of prominent South Koreans with ties to the North.
South Korea hopes North Korea will cooperate with Seoul for peace and prosperity on the Korean peninsula, Yu said.
Relations on the peninsula deteriorated rapidly after Lee reversed the "sunshine policy" of his predecessors; a conciliatory message from Seoul could ease tensions but would be controversial domestically.
China and Russia have sent condolences and the Chinese president Hu Jintao visited the North Korean embassy in Beijing.