A top U.S. military official says no projections can be made as to what will happen in North Korea after leader Kim Jong-il dies, citing that uncertainty remains over Pyongyang’s succession plan.

The commander of U.S. forces in the Asia-Pacific region, Admiral Timothy Keating, said Tuesday that former U.S. President Bill Clinton’s August trip to North Korea to secure the release of two detained U.S. reporters provided great intelligence for Washington.

He made the comment in a forum hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Keating said that, according to Clinton, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il was upright, appeared to be cozy, and entertained reasonable discussions with the former U.S. president.

However, Keating added that Kim’s meeting with Clinton doesn't necessarily indicate what's going to happen in North Korea, for the succession plan is not clear.

Keating said his command is ready for all contingencies regarding the communist state.