I listened to an author the other night who wrote a history on North Korea. He stated that Kim was the third son, the first two not suitable to take over but their constitution requires the leader be that family. One of the older sons was believed to be gay.
He believed that Kim is/was pretty much controlled by his generals.
That MAY have been true 6 years ago - but Kim has been busy cashiering/eliminating the senior ranks of the military and civilian advisors, no doubt as he consolidated power. He removed three of his “old guard” generals right before the recent summit.
I guarantee you that NONE of those 70-something generals could have ever hatched a strategy as BOLD as the one that he is now pursuing ...
Well the first son Kims father thought wasn’t manly enough nor strong enough for leadership, but it’s only rumored he was actually gay. The second son screwed up and ultimately was poisoned. Kim was blamed for that but I believe quite possible it was otherwise in the rank and file of the leadership. His Uncle was eventually murdered and believed by many in N.Korea was suppose to take the Fathers place...so there’s been loads of division within their leadership.’’The family dynamics weren’t that great because Kim Un wasn’t the son of his wife but of his mistress.....etc.etc.
At any rate it was believed from the beginning Kim was controlled by the generals....and the oldsters who controlled the cash flow. In Kims just 6 yrs in office is understood there were several attempts by Kim to consolidate his leadership with those of his choosing.
Frankly I believe Trump cut out Kims middle men and demanded to speak with Kim directly himself......he complied and everything then went from there. Both Trump and Kim admitted they’d been talking for some time.....many believe that began in January and possibly before.