In a memoir about his decade serving as Kim Jong Il's personal sushi chef, a man who goes by the pen name Kenji Fujimoto recalled that basketball was the young Kim Jong Un's biggest passion, and that the Chicago Bulls were his favorite.

NPR: Dennis Rodman Worms His Way Into North Korea

Analysts said that much of the bellicosity is meant to shore up loyalty among citizens and the military for North Korea's young leader, Kim Jong Un.

NPR: SKorea, US Begin Drills As NKorea Threatens War

Global Times quotes South Korean media on secret orders reportedly given by North Korea's young leader Kim Jong-un to bring forward the date of a third nuclear test.

BBC: China media: Korean tensions