The decidedly un-Dominican Kim Jong-nam explained his travels by stating his intention to visit Tokyo Disneyland.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The House of Kim

During police interrogations, Jong Nam said that his life-long desire was to visit Tokyo Disneyland.

FORBES: Viewing North Korea from Japan's Perspective

Tokyo Disneyland makes money, but Euro Disney in Paris (of which it owns 39%) nearly went bankrupt and remains heavily indebted.

ECONOMIST: Will Disneyland work in Hong Kong?

Tokyo Disneyland brushed off any challenge from Hong Kong, saying overseas tourists accounted for only 3% to 4% of its visitors.

CNN: Making A Magic Kingdom

Similarly, the food offered at Tokyo Disneyland is noticeably different from the US, infusing both Chinese and American flavours with Japanese cuisine.

BBC: Different Disneylands around the world

In Tokyo Disneyland, even adult visitors will sing, clap and dance along to the internationally themed live shows, such as the Latin-American vibes of Minnie Oh!

BBC: Different Disneylands around the world

Like Disney's two other international theme parks - Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris - the complex will be a celebration of Americana, seen through the eyes of Hollywood.

CNN: Making A Magic Kingdom

And it was too cautious in Japan, leaving Disneyland Tokyo mostly in the hands of partners.

ECONOMIST: The year of the mouse | The

Mr Kim's eldest son (by an earlier mistress), Kim Jong Nam, 36, had been written off as a potential successor after the embarrassment of being caught entering Japan with a fake passport to visit Tokyo's Disneyland.

ECONOMIST: The state the North Korean regime is in