Kim Jong-un's lavish tastes

The mysterious world of North Korean leadership, often a subject of intense speculation, once again captures the world's attention with emerging tales of sumptuous feasts, fine wines, and the weight of a hereditary legacy.

Recent reports suggest that as North Korean Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-un, boarded his train for a diplomatic visit to Russia, he carried with him a rich taste of French luxury. In the confines of this train, which previously served his father and former leader, Kim Jong-il, cases of esteemed Bordeaux and Burgundy wines are believed to accompany the leader. This train, which boasts a sizable catering staff, serves an international menu that spans Russian, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and French culinary traditions.

The details, shared by a Russian official named Konstantin Pulikovsky, draw from a 2011 journey with the late Kim Jong-il. Pulikovsky claims that these high-end wines were sourced directly from Paris for the trip. Whether Kim Jong-un has chosen to maintain this elaborate tradition remains unconfirmed, but whispers about his predilection for French wine, particularly Bordeaux, have persisted.

Wine, Cheese, and a Taste for European Luxuries

Dr. Choi Jinwook, a Seoul-based academic, recently conveyed to The Telegraph that Kim Jong-un's penchant for fine spirits and wines is profound. The leader is rumoured to consume up to ten bottles of Bordeaux wine in a single evening. Beyond this, Dr. Choi suggests that these indulgences might be more than just a taste for luxury. The academic paints a picture of a lonely leader, burdened by the immense pressure of leadership, seeking solace in the bottom of a wine bottle.

This fondness for European luxuries is not limited to wine. A decade ago, a sushi chef catering to Jong-un claimed the young leader had a voracious appetite for fine wines and Swiss cheese. So deep was his craving for European flavours that he reportedly sent North Korean officials to European culinary schools, frustrated by Korean chefs' incapability to replicate them.

A Surging Demand for Premium Liquor in North Korea

While Kim Jong-un's personal tastes are intriguing, they form part of a larger trend. North Korea has seen a marked uptick in the import of fine wines in the recent year. The surge in demand is evident in department stores hiring professional sommeliers to curate premium wines for their clientele. Additionally, North Korean retailers are increasingly partnering with overseas producers, aiming to import high-end wines exclusively for the domestic market.

This surge parallels South Korea's increase in whisky imports, which jumped by 70% in 2021, according to data from the Korea Customs Service. It implies that even average North Koreans, without the vast wealth of their leader, have expanding access to fine wines and spirits.

Behind the Grandeur: A Leader Grappling with Legacy and Longevity

Amidst the tales of luxury, there are rumblings of Kim Jong-un confronting a personal crisis. Sources intimate that the leader, currently in the throes of midlife, is anxious about his health, possibly fearing the fate of his father, who grappled with health complications.

Andrei Lankov, a professor at Kookmin University in Seoul, offers insight into Kim Jong-un's mindset, stating that the North Korean leader's foremost objective is self-preservation. Lankov says, "His goal is very simple – to die a natural death in his palace, decades later. He wants to stay in power."