That MAY have been true 6 years ago - but Kim has been busy cashiering/eliminating the senior ranks of the military and civilian advisors, no doubt as he consolidated power. He removed three of his “old guard” generals right before the recent summit.
I guarantee you that NONE of those 70-something generals could have ever hatched a strategy as BOLD as the one that he is now pursuing ...
I believe that is why he is now free to pursue this course, because he’s finally rid of those controlling him.