Putin was tired of walking in heels and felt uncertain: physiognomist on the behaviour and gestures of dictators during the meeting in North Korea
21 June 2024 12:15
Putin’s historic visit to North Korea is over. However, much has remained behind closed doors. Or what political scientists, journalists, and analysts did not see with the naked eye. The behaviour, gestures, and facial expressions of dictators are something else worth paying attention to. From Putin’s first steps in the DPRK to a strange bow in farewell, "Komersant Ukrainian" analysed them together with Valentin Kim, an expert in non-verbal communication and psychologist.
putin begins his visit to the DPRK. What is your first impression of the meeting and the behaviour of the dictators?
During this visit, Putin was a person being led. He has to adapt to Kim Jong-un. He has a lower status than the DPRK leader who is meeting him. Although in reality it should be the other way round. When a guest arrives in a country, according to protocol, etiquette, ethics and interaction, it is necessary to show respect for the guest or artificially raise his status. And here we see the flip side. Kim Jong-un is on his own territory and is taking full advantage of it. On a non-verbal level, he has shown his complete monarchy, that he is a person who would never even think of showing any dependence on a guest. And Putin, on the one hand, feels this subordination, but on the other hand, he is interested in Kim’s personality. For him, the DPRK leader is a very important person here and now. And this visit is not just a visit of gratitude. This is a necessary move.
PUTIN IS TIRED OF WALKING IN HEELS
When Putin was sitting next to Kim Jong-un, he often tapped his foot, while Kim sat relaxed and calm. What does this gesture mean?
In general, the shifting of his feet, which Putin often does, can indicate uncertainty, a desire to escape, and a sense of boredom. Depending on the context, the same movement can mean different things. But if we look at Putin specifically, these movements have been with him for a long time, he has been using them for many years, so it is most likely an indication that Putin is very tired of walking in heels. He uses shoes with hidden heels in order to be a few centimetres taller than he really is. As a result, his joints start to twist and he starts to do these dances and ankle twists.
The video shows that Putin, in particular, repeats Kim Jong-un’s handclaps. Is it out of ignorance of when to clap or is it to imitate Kim Jong-un and make him feel good?
This shows that Putin was unsure how to behave in such a situation. On the one hand, it was an orientation to the situation. It is very difficult to understand the protocol and etiquette of North Korea. And dealing with the DPRK’s top leader is a fusion of very complex European and Eastern diplomatic practices. There are very few experts in the world who can clearly explain at what point something needs to be done. And, obviously, Putin was not instructed. But, on the other hand, focusing on another person is evidence not only that Putin does not know what to do, but also that Putin may be in a state of uncertainty. And this greatly affects his negotiating position.
THE MOMENT THE RUSSIAN DELEGATION WAS HUMILIATED WAS CAUGHT ON VIDEO
By the way, the video that went viral proves Valentin Kim’s words about the Russian delegation’s orientation to North Korean protocols and etiquette. Lavrov, Belousov and other Russian ministers were kicked out of the meeting room because they sat down at the table before Kim Jong-un entered. The moment was broadcast live by North Korean media. It shows a North Korean official demanding that the Russians come out into the hall. Just look at the faces of the Russians.
Another photo, or meme, that appeared online after Putin’s visit to the DPRK is a kind of comparison of Putin’s visits to Kim and Lukashenko. Is it plausible?
The first rule of non-verbal diagnostics is that we cannot draw conclusions from photographs. Why? Because there can be such unfortunate cases when either a special or accidental moment, a transient one, is captured. It will not indicate what the person is feeling, but a passing moment. For example, the allegedly drunk Medvedev at the G8 summit in 2009. He was accompanied on the red carpet by Sarkozy and Berlusconi. And Medvedev looked as if he was just “drunk”. But the video shows that nothing strange is happening. He was just being shown which way to turn. The photo of Putin and Lukashenko is real, and the photo of Putin and Kim Jong-un is slightly edited, with Putin artificially reduced in size. And the photo itself seems to have been taken not now, but during Kim’s previous visit to Russia.
Putin bowed to Kim Jong-un as he said goodbye, which was not reciprocated. Agap in the protocol?
I think it just means that such protocol things are not coordinated. In fact, when seeing off a distinguished guest, you really need to show a lot of signs of respect. But Kim Jong-un is a representative of a monarchical dynasty, a person who has unlimited power. It is not in his nature to show any respect for others at all.
AWARDS AND A “TOMBSTONE”: WHAT PUTIN CAME HOME WITH
No matter how depressed Putin felt during and after his visit to the DPRK, he did not return empty-handed. The Russian dictator was awarded the Order of Kim Il Sung, a pair of hunting dogs, a bust of Putin, and a granite portrait, which was called a “tombstone” on social media.
However, granite portraits are part of the personality cult that is widespread in North Korea. They have great political and symbolic significance. They usually depict the country’s leaders, such as Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, and Kim Jong Un. And now Putin. In dictatorial countries, portraits are used as propaganda tools to constantly remind people of the power and greatness of the ruling dynasty. So the Russian dictator brought a real “tombstone” of democracy and freedom to Russia.
The author: Anastasia Fedor
