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Since taking the helm of the country, North Korea`s young leader Kim Jong-un has assumed a leadership style that is different from his father Kim Jong-il. The young leader, educated in Switzerland, is trying to boost his image as a warm and modern leader, a move to court popular support amid deepening international isolation and growing public discontent over poverty.

The young leader in his late 20s has to secure loyalty from the people, who are growingly disgruntled over the economic conditions that have long faltered amid the country`s pursuit of nuclear arms and provocative behavior. And yet signs of desire for change have been detected with his public appearances, apparently choreographed to show that he cares about his impoverished people.

Kim Jong-un`s open activities

Unlike his autocratic father who rarely appeared in the public, Kim Jong-un appears to be more approachable, as photos show him linking arms with factory workers, soldiers and children. He made an open speech on the April 15 centennial birth anniversary of his grandfather Kim Il-sung. He even emphasized the need for the globalization during his field inspection trips to industrial and construction sites. In his public announcement in April during a so-called field guidance trip, Kim said he "won`t let people tighten their belts" through hunger.

North Korea`s media showing a Western-style musical performance and its fledgling leader with an attractive woman later confirmed to be his wife visiting a kindergarten and theme park has apparently help improve its negative image of being belligerent and far from international norms. The North revealed the mysterious woman who was shown accompanying Kim Jong-un on several official occasions was his wife Ri Sol-ju, a move which experts said could help overcome one of the leader`s weaknesses-young age. The leader has since been accompanied by his wife in various open activities, a new trend that was unimaginable during the time of Kim Jong-il, known as a coercive leader who was rarely in direct contact with ordinary citizens. Watchers say Pyongyang is utilizing the Kim couple for the stability of the regime.

Indicating his concern for better living conditions for his staving people, the junior Kim has tried to reach out to the average citizens that have held onto a strong nostalgia for his grandfather, the more outgoing leader Kim Il-sung. The socialist regime has been striving to form a personality cult for the young leader following the death of his father last December. Starting immediately after the funeral, Kim Jong-un has since been engaged in robust outside activities, visiting not only military units but also industrial sites, schools, cultural festivals and even amusement parks.

In a move to style himself after his grandfather, the youngest Kim claps his hands the same way his grandfather did and sports a similar hair style with high-trimmed side-burns. Since the early days of his leadership, the junior Kim has interacted with the people in an approachable manner. More recently, he hosted a huge children`s day celebration, ensuring he would be seen surrounded by happy and well-fed youngsters, just as his grandfather often was depicted in state propaganda. Military officials have repeatedly pledged loyalty to their new leader as the country`s state propaganda media have lauded him as "the outstanding leader" and "another great sun."

The impoverished country has striven to rehabilitate its faltering economy by focusing more on the livelihoods of its people. Observers have shown great interest in whether the reclusive socialist state will embark on reforms. Many have said the young successor, who spent nine years in Switzerland, will likely start bold reforms, while others have countered he won`t be able to do so because of the peculiar nature of the North Korean Regime and the harsh environment outside the country.

Despite the palpable changes, nothing was more astonishing than watching the young leader seemingly embrace the popular culture of the North`s No.1 enemy, the United States. Kim recently allowed Disney characters and scenes from the American film `Rocky" to be seen at an official musical performance and ordered officials to allow female dancers wear miniskirts.

Disney movies in Pyongyang

In early July, North Korea`s state media showed Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh taking the state during a concert for the new leader. Performers danced while clips of Disney movies such as "Beauty and the Beast," "Snow White" and "Dumbo" played on a paneled backdrop for the show in Pyongyang.

This is the first iconic Disney characters have entertained a Pyongyang audience at an official government event. It was the debut performance for the troupe, Moranbong, which was established by Kim Jong-un. When the unprecedented concert finished, Kim stood with the other top military brass who were sitting in the front row and gave a standing ovation.

Evidently, Kim Jong-un is at the forefront of change. The North Korean media has been continuously propagating the good image of the young leader. The state media started to carry reports, photos and video footage of Kim accompanied by his wife at official functions. During a performance by the Moranbong Troupe held in honor of Kim Jong-un and his wife on July 7, the theme song from "Rocky," "Gonna Fly Now," was played; the scene where Rocky knocks out the Soviet boxer Ivan Drago was shown; the Frank Sinatra hit "My Way" was played; and performers dressed as Disney characters were featured. Even more surprising is that North Korean Central TV broadcast the entire program five days later, highlighting the scene of Kim applauding and giving a thumb-up. The remark he made right after the performance is interpreted as a sign that North will open up toward countries in the outside world such as the United States.

In performing state affairs, Kim appears more willing to admit failure and has sometimes scolded officials when they neglected their duties. Last April, he immediately acknowledged the failure of botched rocket launch that crashed into the Yellow Sea minutes after the blast-off. The country launched the rocket, a disguised long-range missile, despite the likelihood that it would kill a new food aid agreement with the United States.

During a visit to a local amusement park in May, Kim scolded officials for poor management and shoddy gardening on the grounds. At a tree planting event in March, Kim grabbed a shovel and did some digging himself, something his father would have never done.

But over time, Kim Jong-un has also begun to carve out his own leadership style, striving to come across as youthful and more pragmatic. Some say that Kim`s strategy is aimed at "turning his potential weakness - youth and inexperience - into a political strength: dynamism and energy." He was even shown visiting restaurants that sell pizza, hamburgers. Western foods began appearing in Pyongyang several years ago, but were not fully endorsed by his father.

Recent reports from the state media have led to speculation that the new leader could be in favor of opening up the reclusive regime. Kim`s desire to appear as a leader seeking more openness, and probably restructuring, seems all too apparent. However, it is premature to predict that Kim`s westernized taste will lead to genuine reform.

North Korea`s possible changes

North Korea still insists on the goals set out by the "Songun," or military-first politics initiated by his late father. Until recently , Pyongyang maintained a strong military and nuclear arms program, issuing frequent, florid threats against South Korea and the United States. On July 20, Pyongyang claimed the United States was involved in the plot to demolish statues of North Korean leaders and declared, "The situation compels North Korea to totally reexamine the nuclear issue." The People`s Daily of China interpreted the statement as proof that North Korea is concentrating its efforts on the development of the "military-first" policy along with efforts to build up the economy.

Watchers at the same time warn Seoul should carefully observe and analyze meticulously choreographed moves by Kim Jong-un. Observers pointed out that the leader`s recent moves, seen by foreign media as sign of his willingness to open up, came as the North continues to bolster its military readiness along the heavily-fortified inter-Korean border. In April, Pyongyang amended its constitution to document its status as a nuclear-armed state.

Still, many experts say Kim Jong-un appears inclined toward economic reform as he grapples with economic hardships, international isolation and waning public loyalty. In recent months, the leader was seen striving to forge conditions for a more open, practical policy line as he has sought to normalize the role of the Cabinet and reduce the inordinate influence of the conservative military rulers. "If Kim unilaterally pushes to carry out too swift a reform policy, this could invite strenuous resistance. He, thus, appears to focus first on establishing a climate for reform and openness by recognizing the power structure," said Hong Hyun-ik, research fellow at the think tank Sejong Institute.

As for the North`s possible change, South Korea`s conservatives regard the seeming change as a deceptive poly or limited attempt for survival, calling for the government to remain cautious. They assert whatever Kim Jong-un intended a gesture is meaningless if it does not lead to a real change. "Kim`s apparent efforts to change North Korea could backfire unless they result in a more tangible improvement in living conditions." An expert said.

Shin Beom-chul, research director at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses in Seoul, warned against any hasty expectation for the change of the dictatorial state, saying that any fascination of the North`s seeming change will be utilized by the North`s psychological warfare, and that will also lead to easing of the South`s security awareness against the North. But liberals in Seoul interpret the moves as signals for gradual change in the isolationist regime, calling on Seoul to grab the opportunity for reviving a severed relationship.