Introduction to Kim Jong Un
Kim Jong Un is the Supreme Leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (commonly referred to as North Korea). He is the third and youngest son of former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and grandson of the state’s first leader, Kim Il Sung. Since taking power in 2011, Kim Jong Un has maintained an authoritarian dictatorship that has faced international condemnation over its human rights violations and nuclear proliferation.
Has Kim Jong Un Been Outside North Korea?
Though North Korea is heavily isolated, it is known that Kim Jong Un has traveled abroad at least four times. In 2018, he visited China, Singapore and Vietnam in an effort to strengthen North Korea’s diplomatic ties with the larger East Asian region. During these visits, Kim Jong Un was accompanied by security forces, as well as his younger sister, Kim Yo Jong.
However, perhaps the most significant visit abroad Kim Jong Un has made was to South Korea for the 2018 inter-Korean summit. This was the first time a North Korean leader had visited South Korea in over 60 years, since the end of the Korean War in 1953. During the historic visit, Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in embraced and announced a path toward peaceful reunification between the two countries.
Though Kim Jong Un has taken trips abroad, his visits outside of North Korea have been few and far between. He has mainly stayed within the country’s borders, likely out of fear of assassination attempts by foreign enemies that could potentially destabilize the government. In fact, it has been reported that Kim Jong Un has a phobia of flying and sea travel, opting instead to travel via one of his armoured trains.
International Reactions to Kim Jong Un’s Travels
Kim Jong Un’s visits abroad have largely been welcomed by the international community. His visits to foreign countries have been seen as a sign of his willingness to engage in diplomacy, and there is hope that his open-mindedness will bring improvements in North Korea’s human rights record.
Though there has been unprecedented diplomatic engagement, some experts caution that the only reason Kim Jong Un is engaging abroad is to ensure the survival of his regime, and to try and gain economic relief from other countries. In exchange for economic help, Kim Jong Un has indicated he would be willing to comply with U.N. sanctions and possibly even dismantle the country’s nuclear arsenal, though some commentators have questioned the sincerity of these promises.
The Impact of Kim Jong Un’s Travels
Though Kim Jong Un’s visits abroad have provided some hope for a peaceful resolution, it is too early to tell what impact these trips have had on human rights in North Korea. In the past, human rights abuses have continued despite the country’s diplomatic engagements, and some experts believe the regime will continue to use state violence as a tool of oppression.
Still, it is hoped that Kim Jong Un’s visits abroad will lead to real change in the repressive state, which has long been in violation of international human rights laws. Only time will tell if the Supreme Leader’s travels can help to bring North Korea out of isolation and into the international community.
Kim Jong Un and South Korea
Kim Jong Un’s visit to South Korea in 2018 was the first summit between the two countries in over a decade. This was hugely significant for the Korean people, as it marked the first time a North Korean leader had set foot on South Korean soil since the end of the Korean War in 1953.
During the summit, Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met and discussed a number of topics, ranging from the prospect of reunification to creating economic connections between the two countries. The summit was also historic in that the two leaders agreed to steps towards completely denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, a move which could potentially lead to a lasting peace between the two countries.
International Sanctions and North Korea
Due to North Korea’s nuclear proliferation and human rights violations, the country has faced heavy international sanctions. These sanctions have drastically hampered the country’s economy and have further isolated the nation from the rest of the world. With few other options available, Kim Jong Un has attempted to engage in diplomacy in order to have the sanctions removed or relaxed.
In 2018, Sanctions were eased for some goods, such as oil and coal, after North Korea agreed to abolish its nuclear weapon development programme. However, immense pressure was brought to bear when North Korea was reported to still be developing its nuclear weapons, prompting the sanctions to be reinforced in subsequent years.
US-North Korea Relations
One of the most important aspects of Kim Jong Un’s foreign policy has been his relationship with the United States. In 2018, Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump held a historic summit in Singapore where the two leaders agreed to take steps in denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. After a series of meetings, the two leaders have managed to build a strong rapport, with President Trump calling Kim Jong Un “a very good friend”.
However, this goodwill has been tested in recent months. After Kim Jong Un failed to abide by the agreements made between the two countries, the US government went ahead and imposed fresh sanctions on North Korea. This has strained relations between the two nations, though Trump has reiterated that he and Kim Jong Un remain friendly with one another.
The Possibility of Lasting Peace with North Korea
While Kim Jong Un’s diplomatic engagements have brought much-needed hope to the Korean Peninsula and the international community, only time will tell if the Supreme Leader’s policies will lead to lasting peace. There is much skepticism as North Korea has a long history of reneging on its agreements and it is unclear how firmly Kim Jong Un will stick to his promises.
Still, the hope remains that North Korea and the international community, particularly the United States, can continue to engage in constructive dialogue and work towards achieving a nuclear-free, peaceful Korean Peninsula.
