A U.S. expert on North Korea says the fact that no succession process has been put into place in Pyongyang could result in anarchy within North Korea following leader Kim Jong-il's death.

Bruce Bechtol, a professor at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, made the statement during a forum at the Korea Economic Institute in Washington on Thursday.

Bechtol said that in the event Kim does not live long enough to build a strong power base for his youngest son, Jong-un, the younger Kim could be vulnerable to the old guard among the power brokers within the party and the military.

Bechtol added that North Koreans place great emphasis on age and experience, both of which are qualities the youngest Kim will not have.

Bechtol said a “no-holds-barred grab” for power could ensue between the military, the party and the security agencies if no clear succession process is in place and no clear powerful leader is in the wings.