Jon Huntsman: 'Kim Jong Il was a Conscienceless Tyrant'

Republican presidential hopeful former Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah --who handled Pacific affairs as an assistant secretary of commerce for East Asia and ambassador to Singapore under President George H. W. Bush, and as ambassador to China under President Barack Obama --weighed in on the death of North Korean strongman Kim Jong Il on Monday.

"Kim Jong Il was a conscienceless tyrant. His death closes a tragic chapter for the people of North Korea and offers them the best opportunity to get on a path toward a more free and open society and political reform, Huntsman said. "In the short-term, the United States must pay extremely close attention to the disposition of North Korea's nuclear bombs, nuclear materials, and other elements of their WMD program, and use all available pressure points to prevent rogue activities and proliferation. This must include close consultation and coordination with our allies in the region, South Korea and Japan, and maintaining an open dialogue with other influential parties, such as China and Russia, to ensure stability in the region."