Kim Jong-un Goes Dapper, Updating His Style Along With His Arsenal
Initial reaction there was positive, at least on the substance, with a South Korean government spokesman saying, "We have already expressed our willingness to engage in a dialogue with North Korea at any time." In dressing up for his speech, Mr. Kim, who was educated in Swiss schools, may just be hearkening back to his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea
and a man the young Mr. Kim is often said to emulate, even in his rotund frame and haircut.
For his New Year’s speech, Mr. Kim, the leader of North Korea, traded his usual atonal, Mao-collared outfits for what looked like the sort of silver-gray suit and matching tie
that come straight from the elder statesmen costume department.
The soft tones of his outfit did not carry through to his message, in which he boasted of having "a nuclear button on the desk in my office."
And it stood at stark odds with the reputation of a leader who is suspected of ordering the assassination of his half brother with VX nerve agent, having his uncle and mentor killed with antiaircraft machine guns and running a state security apparatus that enslaves even children in prison camps.
North Korea’s top leaders have been known for their drab, peasant-style outerwear, with Mr. Kim’s father, Kim Jong-il, favoring Mao-style jackets.
"There has been a lot of speculation that he is trying to make North Korea look more modern
and connected." Mr. Kim’s lightly striped jacket came with a matching tie and slacks.
Robert Kelly said that He’s dressed like that before — a banker, wearing Armani,
