Inside the mind of an autocrat.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

Bill Richardson on Kim Jong Un's reported personality and leadership style:

What’s Kim III really like? Former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson has served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and has negotiated with North Korean leaders in Pyongyang during visits there on several occasions. He has retained high-level contacts in North Korea and remains deeply interested in the country. “So let me first give you what others in North Korea have told me about him,” Richardson said in a phone interview. He was kind enough to jot down some of his impressions before we spoke.

Number one: He frequently jokes with other officials about not knowing anything, that he is new, and young, and he has no experience. He actually thinks that is funny. So that is one. Number two: he seems to be insecure. However, he hears no one, and he does not like to be briefed about issues. That does not mean he is not street smart or that he is not skillful. Surmising the way he has replaced the people, especially in the military, that he felt were not his people, he has actually done that quite effectively. And brought his own people in or people that he thinks are more loyal to him. But it strikes me that he feels, by his actions, by his bluster, and by his missile launchings, that he is trying to consolidate his power

http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2015/02/kim-jong-un-north-korea-understanding