Kirk: U.S. should go to Kim Jong Il funeral

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk says that if North Korea invites the United States to the funeral of dictator Kim Jong Il, the U.S. should attend.

The Republican predicts a period of “very tense instability” now that Kim Jong Il has died. Kirk said it was likely heir apparent Kim Jong Un will be “just as bad, if not worse than his father.”

But, Kirk says, there is a chance that Kim Jong Un will try to make positive changes in the impoverished, nuclear-armed country. He says America should try to “build a new relationship” if that's the case.

He added that the odds of that happening are not good.

Kirk spoke Monday at an event to announce his endorsement of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney for president.