With The Death Of Kim Jong-il, What Is Next For North Korea?

What Comes After Kim Jong-il? -- The Diplomat

The reported death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is already leaving people wondering about whether his son, Kim Jong-un, is ready for power.

The Diplomat speaks with Scott Snyder, Senior Fellow for Korea Studies and Director of the Program on U.S.-Korea Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations, about the reported death of Kim Jong-il.

Was there any indication, or any rumors, that Kim Jong-il's death was imminent?

In fact, Kim Jong-il had been keeping a relatively rigorous schedule, and it seemed like he had recovered better than many had expected during 2011.

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My Comment: His son and heir is not ready to lead North Korea .... not even close .... he is just a kid with limited knowledge and experience coupled with a questionable network of loyalists and supporters who knew his father. In the weeks and months to come what we will see will be a consolidation of power and influence among the older cadres in the Communist party, working together to give a public image of peace and security .... but behind the scenes .... a jockeying for position and power.

As for discussions on North Korea's nuclear program .... I doubt that any major decision will be made until clear lines of authority are drawn within the North Korean government on who is responsible for what.