North Korea has told the international community not to "expect any change" in the wake of Kim Jong-il's death.

朝鲜向国际社会宣布，金正日的离世不会对朝鲜“带来任何改变”。

North Korea's new leader Kim Jong-un is an unknown quantity - making neighbours worried
The message came in a statement carried by state media and attributed to the powerful National Defence Commission.

"We declare solemnly and confidently that the foolish politicians around the world, including the puppet（木偶，傀儡） group in South Korea, should not expect any change from us," it said.

Kim Jong-il died on 17 December of a heart attack, state media said.

He had ruled North Korea since the death of his father Kim Il-sung in 1994. Under him funds were channelled to the military and North Korea conducted two nuclear tests.

His son, Kim Jong-un, has been named "supreme¹ leader of the party, state and army".

'Unforgivable'

North Korea's neighbours are watching to see whether the leadership change will affect Pyongyang's ties with the international community.

The impoverished²（穷困的） communist state remains³ technically⁴ at war with South Korea and is isolated⁵ on the international stage because of its dire⁶（可怕的） human rights record and pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Six-nation talks aimed at ending Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions - involving the two Koreas, China, the US, Russia and Japan - have been stalled for months.

The statement from the NDC - which is thought to be the country's top decision-making body - said North Korea would "never deal" with South Korean leader Lee Myung-bak.

Mr Lee has angered Pyongyang by linking the provision of aid to progress on denuclearisation.

The NDC also criticised Seoul's "unforgivable" decision to allow only two non-official delegations⁷ to cross the border to pay their respects to Mr Kim.