Mr. Thinley, born in 1950, is wearing a Western suit.

WSJ: Lessons in Gross National Happiness

He wore a dark Mao-like suit for Sunday's event, though the nation's main newspaper last week published a photo of Mr. Kim in a Western suit and tie to commemorate the news that the Ruling Workers' Party had bestowed on him the top-ranking title of First Secretary.

WSJ: Defiant Kim Ramps Up Rhetoric

Western Europe is following suit.

FORBES: Fact and Comment

Far beyond just offering a few mutual funds to suit religious investors, they and stand-alone Muslim banks are creating instruments that parallel many of the Western world's financial products, from consumer loans to insurance to bonds.

FORBES: Magazine Article