The US has called on North Korea to pursue a "path of peace" following the death of leader Kim Jong-il.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US was ready to help the North Korean people and create lasting security on the Korean peninsula.
Kim Jong-il died on Saturday of a heart attack, state media said. State TV is showing images of people filing past his open coffin in Pyongyang.
The US has been holding urgent talks with the communist state's neighbours.
President Barack Obama has promised to defend regional allies.
A period of official mourning for Kim Jong-il is now under way in North Korea. He is to be buried on 28 December.
Footage from Pyongyang showed North Koreans crying and grieving for the long-time leader.
Source from BBC
