Crude up in Asia on North Korea concerns

SINGAPORE: Crude prices rose in Asian trade Tuesday, driven by geopolitical concerns after the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, analysts said.

New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in January, gained 40 cents to $94.28 a barrel.

Brent North Sea crude for February delivery was up 43 cents to $104.07.

"Investors will be worried that this (Kim Jong-Il's death) will cause geopolitical unrest," said Ker Chung Yang, commodity analyst for Phillip Futures in Singapore.

Kim, 69, died of a heart attack on Saturday, state media announced on Monday, raising new questions about the future of the nuclear-armed and deeply isolated communist nation.

Pyongyang urged service personnel and citizens to rally behind Kim's youngest son and heir apparent Jong-Un, who is in his late 20s.