Beware North Korea’s petulance and propaganda
The signs suggest that Kim Jong Un is ready to walk away from talks with America
AS THE FIRST snows of winter fell on sacred Mount Paektu, Kim Jong Un knew what he had to do. The dictator threw on his greatcoat, saddled up his white steed and rode up the mountain’s slopes until man and beast were gazing into the caldera lake that glints at the summit, pure as the Korean race.
Holy mountain and white charger have long played a central part in the Kim family’s propaganda. They are stolen straight from the cult that once surrounded Emperor Hirohito of Japan, Korea’s former colonial oppressor. But for the old iconography to be given a showing now is notable. Until recently the most striking image of Mr Kim was against the glimmering skyline of Singapore, where he celebrated an extraordinary coming-out party with President Donald Trump last year. There have also been dramatic handshakes at the demilitarised zone with Moon Jae-in, South Korea’s president, as well as with Mr Trump. Now openness and modernity are out. The chill, Mr Kim has decided, is back. The marshal is protecting his vulnerable people from his lonely guardpost atop Mount Paektu.
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline "Lo! The marshal rides again"
Asia October 26th 2019
- Asia’s coral faces a deadly onslaught
- King Vajiralongkorn dismisses his official mistress
- A Chinese firm may or may not be leasing one of the Solomon Islands
- As Pakistan’s biggest city crumbles, politicians bicker
- Beware North Korea’s petulance and propaganda
- Why Indonesia’s president has made his arch-rival a minister
- Australians resent a ban on climbing their country’s most famous rock
More from Asia
India has quietly transformed its ports
That is good for trade, and a good sign for reform
Lawrence Wong in his own words
Singapore’s next prime minister sat down with The Economist
Singapore has achieved astounding economic success
Can Lawrence Wong, its incoming PM, oversee further growth?