(CNN) -- It was just after midday on a cold December Monday in South Korea's capital when news of Kim Jong Il's death filtered through. Though the reclusive North Korean leader had been plagued with health problems in recent years, the announcement was greeted with general astonishment in Seoul, according to a journalist from the country's largest newspaper. "The initial reaction was shock, quickly followed by speculation about what was going to happen next," said Woosuk Ken Choi, assistant editor with The Chosun Daily. For its part, the South Korean military responded by raising its alert level, while the country's media went into overdrive trying to predict how this oblique and erratic state would respond.Journalist: Announcement was greeted with general astonishment in SeoulWoosuk Ken Choi says most people in the south are calm about the situationChoi: "Nothing happened in 1994 when Kim Il Sung died and it will be the same this time"South Korean military responds to news of Kim's death by raising its alert level
"But those who believe in a policy of engagement with _ say it doesn't matter whether it is third or fourth generation, they're still our people and we need to talk to them to try and resolve the situation."