How Did This Canadian Become Friends With Kim Jong Un And Other North Korean Leaders

Michael Spavor with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. REUTERS/KCNA

Business Insider: How a mild-mannered Canadian became friends with Kim Jong Un and got up close to North Korea's military parade

* A Canadian man has managed to become friendly with Kim Jong Un and some of North Korea's highest-ranking government officials.
* Michael Spavor says he also helped organize one of Dennis Rodman's trips to North Korea.
* He evidently gets unique access to North Korea's military parades and showcased some up-close video of the one this week.

While only a handful of Westerners can say they are welcomed into North Korea regularly, Michael Spavor appears to move around the restrictive country freely.

Spavor, a Canadian national who runs a nonprofit that offers trips to North Korea, even says he's friendly with high-level members of the North Korean government, including the country's leader, Kim Jong Un.

While many foreign media outlets were barred from North Korea's military parade on Thursday, Spavor was somehow front and center, streaming an unfiltered view of the tanks and missiles that rolled by.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: It is easy to understand how Michael Spavor got these contacts. He is young, and not a threat. He does not have a political agenda, and he is not answerable to foreign governments. He is focused on education, and he is a non-profit. He has also taken the time to live there, to meet people, and to learn the culture. Being one of the only few Caucasians in the country also means a lot .... and the impression that I have of the man is that he is deferential and respectful to his North Korean hosts .... who in turn have become deferential to him. To say that he is extremely well positioned is an understatement, and I suspect that he will have these contacts for a very long time.