Kim's recent tour to the northeast was the first full-fledged provincial visit in more than a year and illustrated his changing priorities, said Hong Min, a fellow at the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul.
Kim has made 11 appearances at economic events and three military inspections so far this year, mostly near the capital of Pyongyang, according to a Reuters analysis of data by South Korea's Unification Ministry. Between January and July last year, Kim took 30 military trips and made 15 economic outings.
The North Korean leader did make at least some military related stops on his latest tour, including taking a trial trip on a newly built warship at the Chongjin Shipyard.
Large scale trips to regional areas are usually planned three months in advance after careful deliberations on the location, and the pick of the border region suggests Kim's resolve to boost economic co-operation with China, Hong said.
"Where he goes first matters, especially after a pause, because it gives different messages depending on the region," Hong said.
Kim has travelled to China three times since May, and also sent a high-level delegation on a 10-day tour of major economic hubs in China.
Shin Beom-chul, a senior fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul, said Kim's goal may be to encourage Beijing to push back against U.N. sanctions that have squeezed North Korea's economy.
"Rather than eyeing China as an economic model, he will most likely seek to expand trade and find some breathing space, hoping that China would loosen its enforcement of sanctions."
