It’s easy when we are looking at an international crisis such as the Korean peninsula to get too focused on geopolitical matters, the military balance, and strategy. Sometimes the most valuable insights can be gleaned by look at the psychology of the leadership. In the case of North Korea’s heir apparent Kim Jon-un, we have a new interesting profile in Korea’s Chosun (English version linked here) which outlines what to expect from the Hermit Kingdom. Based on an interview with Kenji Fujimoto, who was a personal chef to Kim Jong-il, we get a portrait of an immature, highly combustable young man who was raised by a twisted father. Among other things, we learn that the younger Kim was picked over his older brother to become the new dictator because “The big one [Jong-choi] has a weak heart and is feminine, but the younger one is manly.” Jong-un drinks Johnny Walker whisky, drives a Mercedes 600 sedan, and plays Tetris and Super Mario Brothers. He has North Korean dance troupes dance naked with his senior advisors. (Fujimoto speculates he’s trying to recreate western stripper shows.)
Kim Jong-un put on weight and became pudgy so he would be taken more seriously as a leader. And nukes? He considers his country’s uranium ore “it’s most valuable asset.”