SEOUL — Most of the time, South Koreans are assumed to be either hostile or indifferent to North Korea.

The two countries are, after all, officially still at war. And recent aggressive acts — the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island and the sinking of the Cheonan come to mind — haven’t exactly painted a picture of friendship.

So it wasn’t surprising that many South Koreans appeared unfazed by the passing of Kim Jong Il in December 2011. Instead of mourning the eccentric leader, most were preoccupied with what might happen next, now that their nuclear-armed neighbor was suddenly leaderless.

What’s more surprising, however, is that amid the uncertainty there were actually some South Koreans who were genuinely sad to see the Dear Leader go.

More…