Chairman Kim Jong-un Rides the Peace Train

Posted: January 22nd, 2019

By Kenneth Dekleva

Dr. Kenneth Dekleva is a former physician-diplomat with the U.S. State Dept. and Professor of Psychiatry and Director, Psychiatry-Medicine Integration, UT Southwestern Medical Center and senior Fellow, George HW Bush Foundation for US-China Relations. He is the author of two novels, The Negotiator's Cross and The Last Violinist. The views expressed are his own and do not represent the views of the U.S. Government, State Dept., or UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Chairman Kim Jong-un started off 2019 with a well-rehearsed New Year’s address, in which he utilized a less-formal and relaxed atmosphere – akin to FDR’s ‘Fireside Chats’ or Chinese President Xi Jinping’s New Year’s addresses – and wore a western-style business suit. In his address, Kim spoke of his diplomatic successes during 2018, his emphasis upon economic development, peace and reunification in the Korean Peninsula, and his desire to further a new relationship with the U.S. as well as to safely denuclearize.

Kim also recently made his 4^th visit to China, traveling to Beijing with his wife, Ri Sol Ju, and his national security team, including Kim Yong Chol, Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, and his Defense Minister. Kim and his entourage – which also included his sister – Director of the WPK Propaganda and Agitation Dept, Kim Yo-jong – traveled by train, on a 20-hour ride, first made famous by his grandfather Kim Il Sung in 1982, and by his father Kim Jong Il in 2011.

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