PYONGYANG - Top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong-il has died at the age of 69 "from a great mental and physical strain," the official KCNA news agency reported on Monday.

The following are some key facts about the leader.

Kim Jong-il was born on Feb 16, 1942. In 1960, he began to study at the politics and economics department of Kim Il-sung University and graduated four years later.

Kim Jong-il started working for the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in 1964. In 1973, he was elected secretary of the committee and in February the next year, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee.

Since October 1980, Kim Jong-il has been member of the Presidium of the Politburo and secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK and member of the Central Military Commission.

From 1982 to 1998, Kim was elected deputy to every Supreme People's Assembly.

From December 1992 to April 1993, he was successively Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army, First Vice-Chairman and later Chairman of the National Defense Commission.

On Oct 8, 1997, Kim Jong-il was elected General Secretary of the WPK.

Kim Jong-il was given the honorary title "Hero of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" in 1975 and 1982.

In April 1992, he was given the title of Marshal of the DPRK. He has also received the Kim Il-sung Order three times and many other awards and honors.