Opinion: He's back, and means business

He's back. After 40 days out of the public eye, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has reappeared. Pictures taken by the state media were published this week of him visiting a newly built residential district in Pyongyang and appearing to admire its modern architecture.

He was also leaning on a cane. The press was told that he had injured himself taking part in a maneuver, although there is no way of verifying whether this took place in a military training zone or on a golf course. Either way, Kim Jong Un's willingness to go public with his health issues comes as a surprise. Unlike his grandfather and his father, he apparently wants to come across as a normal human being who is occasionally unwell. The wild speculation going on mainly in South Korea but indeed all over the world was unsubstantiated.

North Korea's new leadership style

One of the rumors doing the rounds was that his power had been undermined; that he had been toppled in a military coup. According to another rumor, his sister had taken over the country's leadership. Clearly, nothing could be further from the truth. 31-year-old Kim Jong Un seems to have a tighter than ever hold on the reins. So tight a hold that he obviously thinks he can afford to call in sick for a few weeks and then allow the public to see him looking vulnerable.

Kim Jong Un is introducing North Korea to a new style of leadership. This would have been unimaginable in the days of Kim Il Sung his grandfather and the state's founding father, and also under his father, Kim Jong II. The latter died in 2012, his failing health shrouded in utmost secrecy until the very last.

But close observers of North Korea will have noticed that Kim Jong Un opted for a more open form of leadership than his predecessors from the outset. He made a first public appearance immediately after assuming power in 2011, in contrast to his father, who waited three years.

Genuine change – or PR move?

He also wasted no time addressing the public. In 2012 he made public appearances with his new wife and rehabilitated his father's personal chef, who defected several years ago. He demonstrated his love of basketball, welcoming a visitor from North Korea's sworn enemy, the US, in the form of NBA star Dennis Rodman. As far as the public is concerned, the message is clear: change is in the air. A new era is dawning. But what sort of an era will it be? He has yet to be hailed as a Gorbachev for our times. But it seems highly likely that this new-look leadership will eventually start to translate into new-look politics.

His willingness to show vulnerability is simply proof of his power. And by sending someone in his place to celebrations marking a key political anniversary rather than appearing himself on crutches is not only a measure of utmost confidence but also evidence that he believes in delegating – unlike his forefathers.

The realization that the North Korean system can be maintained but that progress is extremely slow might well dawn on him sooner than many might have expected. Kim went to school in Switzerland, so he is familiar with the big wide world. He can well imagine the potential role the country might play in globalization. And looking at China, he can see that opening up doesn't necessarily go hand in hand with declaring the bankruptcy of the political system.

No Interest in North Korean Collapse

The dictator can only make history outside of North Korea as a reformer. Of this he must be aware. He has the support of his neighbors, in particular of China, because no-one has an interest in North Korea imploding. Even South Korea would find a reunification too expensive. Only the Americans would profit. They could then place their 30 thousand strong army directly on the Chinese border. But the Americans are a bit too involved in other world regions at the moment to have any interest in a fight with North Korea. All in all, a good time for a cautious opening.

There is already a special economic zone in the north-east of the country which could also be attractive for western companies. The question is which western company will dare to be first and will they get the backing of their own government. In the case of China it was Switzerland that paved the way. Way back in 1980, the Schindler Elevator Company was the first industrial joint venture with a Chinese state enterprise. Something the Chinese are thankful for to this day.

DW columnist Frank Sieren has lived in Beijing for 20 years