Missile test as a new US admin kicks in (note, the new administration's tone toward NK has been far more confrontational). Is this petulance or pressure?

Assassination of half-brother. Sounds just a bit like the old middle-eastern 'kill all siblings who are of course rivals' behavior a la the Parthian empire...

Execution of government officials -- by anti-aircraft cannon -- for "enraging" the leader. Stalin and Mao just had threats eliminated, is this kind of picky overkill more petulance than policy?

Recall that R.G.H. Siu wrote that "cruelty is the tantrum of frustrated power." [emphasis added]


Though I must note that Un's behavior does at least make Donald Trump appear "presidential" by comparison -- something the Donald has not been doing much on his own....