How Kim Jong Un's diplomatic 'firsts' surprise the world

World
Europe

02:35

Kim Jong Un, one of the world's youngest political leaders, knows how to turn heads – be it through scathing speeches or unexpected diplomatic initiatives. In just one year, he has succeeded in redefining himself, stepping into the limelight to erase some of the mysteries and misconceptions that have long surrounded him.

From taking his first publicized overseas trip since assuming power, to hugging it out with the president of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Moon Jae-in, to pressing flesh with his longtime nemesis U.S. President Donald Trump a few months later, the 34-year-old underwent an astonishing transformation journey last year.

And now, he's getting ready for an encore with Trump in Vietnam – and the world is watching him closely.

Kim's first time outside DPRK

Kim paid an unofficial visit to China in March 2018 – the first such overseas trip since taking the reins of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in 2011. Holding talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping also marked his first-ever known meeting with a foreign leader.

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, DPRK leader Kim Jong Un paid an unofficial visit to Beijing, March 25-28, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets DPRK leader Kim Jong Un in Beijing, March 25-28. /Xinhua Photo

He underlined the importance of centuries-long DPRK-China friendship, which he described as "unshakable" – one that will remain unchanged under any circumstances.

It was a prelude to a string of visits to China – three in a year – with each coinciding with a crucial moment in Pyongyang's diplomatic flurry with Seoul and Washington.

Kim's first inter-Korea summit

Pyongyang's overtures to its southern neighbor started from the sports arena.

In his 2018 New Year speech, Kim expressed his willingness to send a delegation to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics and offered talks with the ROK to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

And so a new chapter of relationships began between Pyongyang and Seoul and Washington.

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and ROK President Moon Jae-in shake hands over the military demarcation line in Panmunjom, ROK, April 27, 2018. /VCG Photo

In their joint release, Kim and Moon announced their "common goal" of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and vowed to put an end to the Korean War.

The DPRK leader also revealed a sensitive side that caught everyone by surprise. He told Moon at the beginning of their meeting that he "was flooded with emotions" when crossing the Military Demarcation Line.

The leaders also planted a pine tree together as a shared wish for peace and prosperity using soil and water from both sides.

The meeting, the third of its kind since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, also paved the way for Kim's historic summit with Trump in Singapore.

Kim's first summit with Trump

After "on-again, off-again" scheduling, the duo finally met on June 12, 2018, in Singapore.

Months before their face-to-face meeting, Kim had threatened to shower the U.S. with missiles, and described Trump as a "mentally deranged U.S. dotard." Trump struck back, calling Kim "little rocket man."

Tensions skyrocketed, keeping the world on alert.

Yet when the moment of truth arrived, the two shook hands, smiled and hugged. The scene could hardly have been more surreal.

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump (R) shake hands at Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island in Singapore, June 12, 2018. /VCG Photo

It was the first time that a DPRK leader had met with an incumbent U.S. president.

"The old prejudices and practices worked as obstacles on our way forward, but we overcame all of them and we are here today," Kim told reporters after the talks.

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump sign a joint document after their summit at Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island in Singapore, June 12, 2018. /Reuters Photo

The meeting went forward in an incredibly smooth fashion, yet little progress has been made since then. The two sides remain at odds over the scale of denuclearization, sanctions, and whether to issue a war-ending declaration.

With the second round of talks between Kim and Trump right around the corner, what other firsts would the world witness?