North Korea's government was famously accused in 2002 by U.S. President George W. Bush of helping terrorism and seeking weapons of mass destruction, along with fellow "axis of evil" countries, Iran and Iraq. Iraq's leader Saddam Hussein was overthrown after the U.S. invaded in 2003 but the other two countries continued to defy the West by pursuing a nuclear program. So what will happen next after the death of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Il? How will the death affect military tensions in the region? After Japan's defeat in World War II, Korea became a divided nation. The capitalist South was supported by the United States and its Western allies, and the communist North became an ally of the Soviet Union.
@highlight
North Korea accused by ex-U.S. President Bush of helping terrorism, seeking WMDs
@highlight
Analysts say effect of Kim Jong Il's death on talks over nuclear issue unknown
@highlight
North Korea dogged by famine since mid-1990s; many people flee to China
@highlight
China will prop up its close ally and its new leader Kim Jong Un, analysts say
"The difference today is that @placeholder are no longer under the illusion they are living in paradise on earth.
So despite all the problems that Kim Jong Il left behind, some Korea-watchers do not expect @placeholder to implode immediately.