Following much speculation last week, Chinese state media confirmed that a mystery visitor – arriving aboard an armoured train - was none other than North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, his wife and a high level delegation. The trip marks Kim’s first known trip, albeit ‘unofficial’ outside of North Korea since he assumed the reins of power after his father’s death in 2011. That the trip was made under an intense high security detail with deafening silence and secrecy, only to be announced after the North Korean leader had returned to Pyongyang was no surprise. The events taking place on the Peninsula are a build up to a tumultuous pivot in relations between the two Koreas, the United States and the rest of the world.
This isn’t just any random occurrence. Kim must have been incredibly comfortable that no one back home would challenge his authority or make a move to overthrow him while he’s gone. This new jet-setting Kim is confident, assertive and stands rather tall (pun intended). He’s putting on his ‘big-boy’ pants and playing the role of statesman, doing photo ops with President Xi Jinping and playing host to South Korean officials and pop singers to demonstrate that the olive branch he’s extending is genuine.
