Since Kim Jong-un is in his late 20s, Swiss-educated and fluent in several European languages, not a few commentators thought he might guide North Korea on a path of reform and opening up to the world. North Korea was ruled by two absolute dictators-Kim IL-sung and his son, kim Jong-il – for more than a half century, and both exercised their power to the full as though they were kings. Neither leader was concerned about increasing North Korea’s external trade or raising its international competitiveness. As a result, North Korea has become one of the poorest and most isolated countries in the world.