NK leader meets with visiting ranking Cuban official

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has held talks with Cuban First Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel, official media reported Tuesday, marking Kim’s first meeting with a senior foreign leader in more than two years as he has yet to travel overseas since taking power in late 2011. However, he did claim that among the reign of Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il and now his son Kim Jong-un, “It is Kim Jong-un’s regime that is the most unstable”.

The defector is guessing, of course – the same way he’s guessing someone in Kim Jong Un’s inner circle may be driven to assassinate the dictator, or that a provocation with the USA or South Korea will backfire on the regime. Kim Jong Un took over and “tried his best”, says the defector.

“The invincible vitality of the DPRK-Cuba friendship would be more dynamically demonstrated in the future, too, thanks to the efforts of both sides”, Kim was quoted as saying by the KCNA.

That said, he revealed Pyongyang’s upper classes were wary of Jong Un after he began to rid himself of his closest ties, most notably his uncle, who he is said to have had killed. He also fears North Korea could manage to hunt him down in his new life.

Cuba and North Korea signed in October 2014 new accords on trade and payments to strengthen economic relations, which now include pacts in such areas as education, oil and agriculture.

Chang believes the purging of the elites shows that “Kim Jong Un is showing confidence”.

The Moranbong Band, dubbed a North Korean girl group, was established in July 2012 by the North’s young leader, Kim Jong-un, featuring Western-style music and outfits.

The defector is guessing, of course – the same way he’s guessing someone in Kim Jong Un’s inner circle may be driven to assassinate the dictator, or that a provocation with the USA or South Korea will backfire on the regime.

The defector said, while the lower classes were trained to clap and cheer whenever they saw Jong Un, the elite were less convinced – which was risky of Jong Un.

Jang’s sudden execution was just the start, in accordance with the defector, who claimed that when Kim started to purge member from ruling and elite… “There is a possibility that their loyalty and support will weaken”.