A view from the DMZ

North Korea's Kim Jong-un, came into power last December when his father, Kim Jong-il, suddenly died.

Since assuming power he has adopted a different posture than his often reclusive father.

North Korean Television has aired footage not only underscoring his military ties, but showing him attending concerts with children.

Major Gen. Edward Cardon, Commander of the Second Infantry Division in South Korea, was made available to Reuters by the Pentagon.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) MAJOR GEN. EDWARD CARDON, SAYING:

"Well, he is clearly different from his father. His father rarely made public appearances. He has made several. He is out in the open sources. He is out a lot, not just with the military, but the economic side of North Korea. So, as what that is going to manifest itself like in the future? We don't know."

In April, the new leader defied not only the West, but Pyongyang's primary backer China, when it went ahead with a rocket launch, that ultimately ended in failure.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) MAJOR GEN. EDWARD CARDON, SAYING:

"They did the rocket launch despite overwhelming world public opinion not to do it, so we just don't know what the future is here."

Many experts now believe the reclusive North is preparing for a third nuclear test, and could even use highly enriched uranium for the first time.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters