Putin looks 'anxious' with 'impatient' Kim Jong-un, says body language expert
A body language expert has revealed which despot came out on top after warlord Vladimir Putin met with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un today.
While the vocalised messages from both leaders were clear in their unified stance against Western "imperialism" and Kim's support for Putin's "sacred fight" in an apparent reference to Ukraine, their subtle body language cues revealed a tussle for dominance. Body language expert Judi James, who has authored 26 books on the topic, says that there was one clear victor in the allied leader's wrestle to be on top. A day after Kim's tank-like train rolled into the port city of Vladivostok yesterday morning, the pair sat down for a press conference at a remote cosmodrome space base in Russia's far east, to show a unified front. But according to Ms James, there was a silent battle raging throughout.
Putin and Kim met at the Vostochny Cosmodrome on Wednesday (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Speaking with The Mirror, she said: "Putin is the one showing signals of inner anxiety here, while Kim sits more solid in his chair. Putin pulls at and re-positions his tie, suggesting distracted thinking." The tie is a key "phallic signal" which represents masculinity, especially for "alphas like these two men". Putin's repositioning of the menswear staple suggests a rogue weakness from the Russian despot, which also allowed him to "form a partial body barrier with one hand".
Moving to the tyrant's face, Ms James noticed he "performs two small tongue pokes, which can be a signal of tension and a dry mouth and lips, or a sign of rejeciton or dislike". This is followed by "two large swallows" and a "sucking in of the lips". He also bites "of the lower lip" to "imply anxiety". Inner tension is also seen because he has to clear his throat while speaking and holding his hand up when he coughs. Putin realises he's acting in a weak manner, Ms James believes, so he then moves his legs into a "pose of alpha confidence".
Meanwhile, Kim's main tell is a tightened fist, which suggests he has "limited patience for any questions". Before the press conference, Kim stepped out of his car as Putin was "on him" before he had to take more than two steps out of his car. The Russian tyrant was attempting to project a message of "unity and friendliness". Being so quick to greet Kim at the car was what's known as an "act of inconvenience" in which Putin made sure that Kim did not have to walk alone into the venue or be met on the steps.
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"This instant approach that suggests Putin has been standing outside waiting, makes the guest leader feel honoured and important", Ms James explained. "Putin’s beaming smiles and his two arm pats as they shake sends signals of friendly closeness. The shake is also prolonged, lasting over thirty seconds, which also suggests deep pleasure and even some relief to be meeting Kim," she added.
The pair during the press conference today (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)But overall, through both meetings, the "power signals" are coming from Kim. Ms Jame said: "His confident walk and the way he instigates the handshake rather than Putin, the host, suggests a sense of control. He seems to pull Putin’s hand in close to his own torso and he does the same when they shake for the photos inside."
"The intense eye contact might look friendly but that level of eye contact can feel like a challenging stare. Both men are fans of macho, alpha leadership signals and that can lead to a sense of alpha confrontation that Kim’s body language seems to be winning right now," Ms James concluded.
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