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So, North Korea's crackpot dictator has finally kicked the bucket, and his youngest son has apparently taken over. What might that mean for relations with North Korea?

Best case: he turns out to be the opposite of his father (i.e. not a nutcase) and starts opening up to the west & to S Korea.
Worst case: He's as bas ad his father and he starts some mad military adventure to try to get the generals lined up behind him (apparently the sinking of the S Korean naval vessel last year was possibly at his orders to build up his standing with the military leadership).  

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I think either extreme would ultimately be good for his people.  If he opens up, then they can modernize and hopefully be able to import enough food to ward off further mass-starvation.  I doubt this will happen, because (at least according to a BBC documentary I saw show from within the Hermit Kingdom)the N. Koreans have little idea how much better things are in S. Korea, removing the brainwashing and the Korean people would likely rise up and overthrow their government.  If Kim Jong-Un goes in the opposite direction and starts a war with the South the joint US-Korean (+/- Japan in some capacity) force would crush him (the only reason N. Korea exists is because the Chinese came in to save them from NATO, I don't see China risking its relation with the US now on N. Korea's behalf), bringing about a unification with S. Korea.

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I know its probably un Christian of me, but when I heard the news, I did allow myself a small smile.  

I agree with all BOTH of you have posted.  Those people are suffering in N. Korea.  I've seen reports where many are reduced to eating grass to survive.  I am hopeful we can use diplomacy now and convince the new regime to allow some reform with regard to human relations.  That would be a good start.  

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Well, first thing Kim Jong-Un needs to do is pay his electricity bill:

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/technology-blog/dramatic-satellite-photo-shows-north-korea-near-total-013138805.html