All eyes are on several powerful factions, especially the North Korean military, as Washington, South Korea and the world try to get a sense of who is ruling the nuclear-armed nation.

“There are no indications of unusual North Korean troop movements following the death of Kim Jong Il,” Pentagon press secretary George Little tweeted Monday afternoon. “We continue to monitor the situation.”

{mosads}North Korean media reported late Sunday night that the 69-year-old, mercurial dictator had passed away.

Kim had moved to hand power to his son, Kim Jong Un. But there are doubts that the younger Kim will be able to maintain a firm grip on power as the military and other factions jockey for position in the post-Kim Jong Il era.