North Korea's possible nuclear test and a "post-Gangnam" era are among stories that will draw keen global media attention in the year ahead, CNN said Sunday.

Releasing a list of 13 things to closely watch in 2013, the U.S. cable news channel said North Korea may step into the global media spotlight with another nuclear test.

"On the subject of nuclear states that the U.S.-wishes-were-not, the succession in North Korea has provided no sign that the regime is ready to restrain its ambitious program to test nuclear devices and the means to deliver them," it said.

CNN cited reports that North Korea seems to be technically set for the detonation of an atomic bomb at a nuclear site where it carried out two tests in 2006 and 2009.

"So the decision becomes a political one," it said, adding the choice will be made by North Korea's young leader Kim Jong-un who apparently wants to demonstrate that he is in firm control of the communist regime.

Another hot topic in the new year will be "Will 'Gangnam Style' give it up to something sillier?" CNN said.

It was referring to "Gangnam Style," a song by South Korean rapper Psy. The music video of the song has become the all-time most watched clip on YouTube.

The music video became the first YouTube clip to top 1,000,000,000 views earlier this month.

"Can something -- anything -- displace 'Gangnam Style' as the most watched video in YouTube's short history?" CNN said without ruling out the possibility that "Gangnam will get to 2 billion with a duet with Justin Bieber."

Also included on the CNN's list are the territorial row between China and Japan, turmoil in Syria and Iran's nuclear program. (Yonhap News)