Prediction #1

North Korea's stance will not change with Kim Jong Il's death.

Kim Jong Un, his son, is thought to be just 28, too young and inexperienced to have much legitimacy as the country's leader. He can gain this only by preserving--and likely reinforcing--the policies that keep those at the top of the country's military establishment in power. Were he to propose reform or to reach out to the West for the lifting of sanctions, the threat this would pose to the military, not to mention to China, would likely result in a coup. Either way, North Korea's policies are unlikely to change.