( CNN ) Just about now , North Korea 's enigmatic ruler was expected to be preparing to emerge from his fortified country for a visit to Moscow to join celebrations next week marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe . The trip was highly anticipated . After all , this was to have been Kim 's first official international trip since he came to power in 2011 following his father 's death , and it would have provided a fascinating opportunity for the world to get a closer look at a young leader and a regime still largely shrouded in mystery . But this week , Russia announced that the trip had been canceled , with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying Thursday that Moscow was informed via diplomatic channels that the trip would not happen . He said that `` the decision is connected with North Korean domestic affairs . '' What could have changed Kim 's mind ? It is practically impossible to answer the question with absolute certainty , but a possible explanation is that Kim may not be feeling completely secure in his position . And nervous dictators prefer to stay home . True , Kim runs one of the most brutally repressive regimes on Earth . And there is unceasing public praise for the younger 'Dear Leader , '' including frenzied eruptions of support . But these eruptions are carefully scripted , and those who have managed to flee the North confirm that in private , many are unhappy with the regime . Perhaps with the potential threats in mind , Kim feels the need to reassert his authority and keep his eye on the centers of power . In 2013 , Kim shocked the country and stunned outside observers when he ordered the killing of his uncle , Jang Song Thaek , who had stood by his side from the day his father died . Jang had mentored and guided the young Kim as he took the reins , but the once-powerful Jang was arrested by soldiers during a Politburo meeting who dragged him away in a chilling scene broadcast on national television . The central news agency called Jang a `` traitor for all the ages , '' with vague accusations that he had behaved `` insolently . '' More seriously , he was accused of `` counter-revolutionary factional acts in a bid to overthrow the leadership . '' And just this week , and only a day before the Russians announced Kim 's canceled travel plans , a South Korea lawmaker revealed that South Korea 's National Intelligence Service had pieced together information suggesting that so far this year , Kim has ordered the execution of 15 senior government officials . According to South Korean legislator Shing Kyung-min , North Korea 's vice chairman of the State Planning Commission , for example , was executed because he objected to plans to change the design of a new government hall from a rounded shape to one resembling a flower . Such an explanation is bizarre . And in keeping with the odd behavior we have grown accustomed to hearing about from North Korea . But there may be more to this . Kim -- who was still in his 20s when he took power and holds a host of titles , including Supreme Commander of the Korean People 's Army -- still finds it necessary to remind everyone at home that he is the one in charge . But although there is something almost comical about the explanations offered up by North Korea for the actions of its regime , a nervous , unpredictable , inexperienced leader with access to nuclear weapons is far from a laughing matter . As recently as 2013 , North Korea conducted a nuclear test -- the country 's third , and it has threatened to use them against South Korea , Japan and the United States . Meanwhile , it has threatened South Korea with `` final destruction , '' said it will turn the country 's presidential office into a sea of fire , told Japan it would trigger a nuclear attack if Tokyo followed through on a warning to destroy any North Korean missiles fired in its direction , and declared the United States is seeking a war and that Pyongyang `` will be exercising our right to preemptive nuclear attacks . '' Such rhetoric is itself troubling . But experts have also warned this week that North Korea may have restarted its Yongbyon nuclear reactor , with the Institute for Science and International Security arguing that snow melting patterns in images of the plant suggest new activity at the plant . North Korea has been mostly out of the news in recent months , partly because so many other international crises have pushed it out of the headlines . But that does n't mean tensions have eased . Just three weeks ago , Pyongyang fired missiles into the sea as U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter arrived on the Korean peninsula . All this suggests that gauging the state of mind of the North Korean leader is no easy task . But if Kim raises the alarm about threats from the outside , we will know he is likely feeling insecure at home and may be trying to boost internal support . That would be a danger sign for the people of North Korea -- and a flashing red light for the rest of the world . Read CNN Opinion 's Flipboard magazine .
Russia says Kim Jong Un has canceled trip to Moscow . Frida Ghitis : Gauging Kim 's state of mind no easy task .