Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3186: Kim Jong-un, Hyon Yong-Chol, Intimidation and Arm-Movement - Body Language (PHOTO)

It seems being a high government official in Pyongyang is a bit dangerous. Late last month, the North Korean Defense Minister, Hyon Yong-Chol was executed. Kim Jong-un wants to be feared. As hundreds were made to watch, he was reportedly killed and his body was obliterated by anti-aircraft guns.

Whether it's an attending physician at a teaching hospital surrounded by "his" residents and medical students, a CEO circled with yes-men ... or a tyrannical leader - when an alpha personality is accompanied by his or her subordinates, there is a very significant drop-off in the amplitude, frequency and speed of the subservients' arm and hand movements. This is a very noticeable behavior pattern - regardless of the culture or country. This same phenomenon is even seen in great apes, lower-order primates as well as with other mammals. In more alpha personalities or alpha contexts the upper arm in particular will extend further from the torso - and do so more often. Faster rates of upper limb moments in the dominant personalities are also more common. Hands tend to be more open in those with power while people whom are lower in the pecking-order will tend to keep their hands more closed.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3185: Julia Roberts Recalls Her First Interview with David Letterman - a Body Language Indicator of Sincere Laughter

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2807: Barack Obama at 2014 White House Correspondents' Dinner

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3091: Vladimir Putin has Asperger's Syndrome according to Pentagon Report

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2580: Angela Merkel's Fingers, Emotions and Mobile Phone

Dating & Romance Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1010:  Rashida Jones - What Makes the Twinkle in Her Eye?

___________________________________________________________________________________

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3131: Kim Jong-un, his Uncle Jang Song-thaek and a Warning sign of Potential Violence - Body Language (PHOTO)

This of course is an image of Kim Jong-un. The North Korean leader has two very particular emotions expressed here - those of disgust and anger. And while it is not fully manifested - the disgust component is a good example of a somewhat more than moderate manifestation.

The photo was purportedly captured as Kim Jong-un was looking at his soon-to-be executed Uncle (12 December 2013), Jang Song-thaek - the day prior to his arrest. 





The following are the components of fully expressed disgust:

•    Wrinkles on the bridge of the Nose
•    Accentuated nasal labial furrows (on the sides of the nose continuing down to near mouth corners)
•    Lower Lip is raised and protruded
•    Upper Lip is raised (sometimes very high) and slightly protruded
•    The upper lip and the area between the upper lip and nose (mustache area) is tightened
•    Flaring of the nostrils
•    Lowering of the eyebrows (but they are not drawn together as in anger)
•    Crow’s Feet on the lateral sides of the eyes
•    Chin wrinkling/dimpling
•    Forehead relaxed (but not when mixed with anger, see below)
•    Pulling the arms close to the torso, with a bending of elbow & hands often drawn toward mouth
•    Pulling back/retraction of the head, neck, torso
•   Stepping backwards or leaning to opposite side - away from object of disgust

Note that with pure disgust, the forehead is not contracted. Disgust is often mixed with a component of anger though, as it is here - which is why Kim Jong-un's lower central forehead and eyebrows are contracted together and downwards. It's also important that here, because of the anger component, Kim Jong-un's eyebrows are drawn together and downward - whereas in pure disgust, they are only directed downward.

What other disgust amplifier is seen here which is also consistent with anger?

We all express disgust from time-to-time - it's normal and very human. Yet those who CHRONICALLY manifest this emotion (and/or contempt) have significantly increased tendencies towards impulse control disorder, narcissistic personality disorder ... and violence.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3130: Barack Obama on Jimmy Kimmel - "I don't think I've got his home number" & Kanye's Response - Who's Lying? - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3126: Congressman Aaron Schock and allegations of misuse of taxpayer dollars and campaign funds

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3117: Boris Nemtsov and Vladimir Putin - What Body Language Tells Us

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2946: Barack Obama's 10 September 2014 ISIS Speech - Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3127: Hillary Clinton's Press Conference and a Body Language Down-regulator of Sincerity

_________________________________________________________________________________

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2638: North Korean Senior Official Chang Song-taek (aka Jang Sung-thaek) Executed, Body Language Tells (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

North Korean senior official, Chang Song-taek (aka Jang Sung-thaek) was publicly expelled from the Worker's Party of Korea (the ruling party of North Korea) on 8 December 2013 after reports surfaced via South Korean intelligence that he had removed from his post on 3 December. Among other things, "He was accused of having committed 'anti-party, counter-revolutionary factional acts', including illicit affairs with women, harboring 'politically-motivated ambition', weakening 'the party's guidance over judicial, prosecution and people's security bodies', and obstructing 'the nation's economic affairs'. " Yesterday the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) announce he had been executed.

Jang Sung-thaek was married to Kim Kyong-hui - who is the aunt of Kim Jong-un, the supreme leader of North Korea (his uncle by marriage).

In the above photo, Jang Sung-thaek is dressed in the green and red military uniform. Note Jang's mouth. It is configured in what is known as a "Forward (loose) Lip Purse". This nonverbal sign is highly characteristic for clandestine disagreement. It signals there is a large disparity between what a person is thinking and what they express openly. It also indicates that the person displaying this forward lip purse believes that they have a reasonable chance of success with their alternative plan/idea/action. This body language also signifies that they believe they enjoy some significant alpha qualities with who(m) they disagree.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 1705:  North Korean Statues of Kim Jong-il & Kim Il-sun

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2623: Kim Jong-un Impersonator - A Valuable Body Language Tell

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2367:  North Korea, Jay Carney and  Body Language Tells from the White House Press Room

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2364:  Kim jong-un Tells a Lie to His Generals  North Korea, Body Language and Third Rate Vetting

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2368:  John Kerry & Xi Jinping in Beijing to Discuss North Korea -  Body Language of Anxiety & Assertiveness

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2319:  Dennis Rodman Hugging Kim Jong-un ...  Body Language Tells

Nonverbal Communication Analysis # 2446:  Harry Reid's Lip Purse -  Body Language, the Immigration Bill & Negotiation

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2540: Rep. Darrell Issa 'Snaps' at Reporter - Was His Anger Real or Fake? Body Language and the Forward Lip Purse 

________________________________________________________________________________