Asian stock tumble over news of North Korean leader's death

Dubai: Asian stocks plummeted on Monday following reports that North Korean leader Kim Jong-il had died of a heart attack. 

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slid 1.8 per cent to 110.44 as of 6.42pm in Tokyo, heading for its lowest close since November 25. Almost five shares fell for each that rose in the measure. 

Kim, who has led North Korea since the death of his father in 1994, died on a train while visiting an area outside the capital Pyongyang, state-run television announced. 

Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average declined 1.3 per cent. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 2.4 per cent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng slipped 1.2 per cent and China's Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.3 per cent.