Still, unless the North does something to fix its industrial section, it will never be able to survive on its own. Of course, solely depending on aid for a means for survival is a possibility. Still, at the pace things were going for North Korea, it was quite clear that North Korea couldn't expect much more aid in the future. In the first place, North Korea's economy is exhausted to the extent that it is impossible for them to fix their industrial section on their own. Whether it was able to gain working power through the aid, it cannot fill in for the lack of means for production.
Energy is especially the problem.
In the past, North Korean factories could not operate because of the lack of material. Now, even if the factories could obtain the capital material, they still cannot operate because of the lack of electricity. If one were to compare the North Korean economy to a house, the house would be over 50 years old, and it never has been repaired once during that period, making it a deserted shack. It is possible that this house will crumble down any second without a proper base. There is also a very low chance for Japan or United States to do anything to fix this old shack named North Korea.