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Wikipedia

Kim Jong-un

January 21, 2023

For other people named Kim Jong-un, see Kim Jong-un (disambiguation).

Kim Jong-un[b][c] (English: /ˌkɪm dʒɒŋˈʊn, -ˈuːn/;[2] Korean: 김정은, Korean: [kim.dʑɔŋ.ɯːn];[d] born 8 January 1982[e]) is a North Korean politician who has been Supreme Leader of North Korea since 2011 and the leader of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) since 2012.[f] He is a son of Kim Jong-il, who was North Korea's second supreme leader from 1994 to 2011, and Ko Yong-hui. He is a grandson of Kim Il-sung, who was the founder and first supreme leader of North Korea from its establishment in 1948 until his death in 1994. Kim Jong-un is the first leader of North Korea to have been born in the country after its founding in 1948.

Kim Jong-un
김정은
Kim in 2019
General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea[a]
Assumed office
11 April 2012
Preceded byKim Jong-il
President of the State Affairs of North Korea
Assumed office
29 June 2016
First Vice PresidentChoe Ryong-hae
Vice President
Premier
Preceded byHimself (as First Chairman of the National Defense Commission)
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of North Korea
Assumed office
30 December 2011
Preceded byKim Jong-il
First Chairman of the National Defense Commission
In office
13 April 2012 – 29 June 2016
Vice Chairman
Premier
Preceded byKim Jong-il (as Chairman)
Succeeded byHimself (as President of the State Affairs)
Personal details
Born (1982-01-08) 8 January 1982 (age 41) (per North Korean sources)
Pyongyang, North Korea
Political partyWorkers' Party of Korea
Spouse
​
(m. 2009)​
Children3 (unconfirmed)
Parents
RelativesKim family
Alma mater
Signature
Military service
Allegiance North Korea
Branch/service Korean People's Army
Years of service2010–present
Rank Wonsu
Korean name
Chosŏn'gŭl
김정은
Hancha
金正恩[1]
Revised RomanizationGim Jeong(-)eun
McCune–ReischauerKim Chŏngŭn
Central institution membership
  • 2012–present: Member, Presidium of the Political Bureau of the 6th, 7th, 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
  • 2012–present: Member, Political Bureau of the 6th, 7th, 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
  • 2010–present: Member, 6th, 7th, 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
  • 2014–2019: Deputy, 13th Supreme People's Assembly
Other offices held
  • 2012–present: Chairman, Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea
  • 2010–2012: Vice Chairman, Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea

From late 2010, Kim was viewed as successor to the leadership of North Korea. Following his father's death in December 2011, state television announced Kim as the "Great Successor". Kim holds the titles of General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea,[3] Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and President of the State Affairs. He is also a member of the Presidium of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea, the highest decision-making body. In July 2012, Kim was promoted to the highest rank of Marshal in the Korean People's Army, consolidating his position as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. North Korean state media often refer to him as "Respected Comrade Kim Jong-un" or "Marshal Kim Jong-un". He has promoted the policy of byungjin, similar to Kim Il-sung's policy from the 1960s, referring to the simultaneous development of both the economy and the country's nuclear weapons program.

Kim rules North Korea as a totalitarian dictatorship,[4][5] and his leadership has followed the same cult of personality as his father and grandfather. In 2014, a landmark United Nations Human Rights Council report suggested that Kim could be put on trial for crimes against humanity. He has ordered the purge or execution of several North Korean officials; he is also widely believed to have ordered the 2017 assassination of his half-brother, Kim Jong-nam, in Malaysia. He has presided over an expansion of the consumer economy, construction projects and tourist attractions. Kim also expanded North Korea's nuclear program which led to heightened tensions with the United States and South Korea. In 2018 and 2019, Kim took part in summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump. He has claimed success in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic in North Korea; the country did not report any confirmed cases until May 2022, although many experts doubt this claim.[6]

Early life

North Korean authorities and state-run media have stated Kim's birthdate was 8 January 1982,[7] but South Korean intelligence officials believe the actual date is a year later.[8] It is thought that Kim's official birthyear was changed for symbolic reasons; 1982 marks 70 years after the birth of his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, and 40 years after the official birth of his father Kim Jong-il.[5] Before 2018, the US Treasury Department listed Kim Jong-un's birthdate as 8 January 1984. Now, the birthdate is listed as 8 January 1983, aligning with South Korea's birthdate for Kim Jong-un.[5] The claim that he was born in 1984 matches that given by his aunt and uncle, who moved to the United States in 1998 and were interrogated by the CIA.[9]

Kim Jong-un is the second of the three children of Ko Yong-hui and Kim Jong-il; his elder brother Kim Jong-chul was born in 1981, while his younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, is believed to have been born in 1987.[10][11] He is a grandson of Kim Il-sung, who was the founder of and led North Korea from its establishment in 1948 until his death in 1994.[12] Kim is the first leader of North Korea to have been born a North Korean citizen, his father having been born in the Soviet Union and his grandfather having been born during the Japanese colonial period.

All the children of Kim Jong-il are said to have lived in Switzerland, as well as the mother of the two youngest sons, who lived in Geneva for some time.[13] First reports said that Kim Jong-un attended the private International School of Berne in Gümligen in Switzerland under the name "Chol-pak" or "Pak-chol" from 1993 to 1998.[14] He was described as shy, a good student who got along well with his classmates, and was a basketball fan.[15] He was chaperoned by an older student, who was thought to be his bodyguard.[16] However, it was later suggested that the student at the Gümligen school was not Kim Jong-un, but his elder brother Kim Jong-chul.[17]

 
The Liebefeld-Steinhölzli public school in Köniz, Switzerland, reportedly attended by Kim Jong-un

Later, it was reported that Kim Jong-un attended the Liebefeld Steinhölzli state school in Köniz near Bern under the name "Pak-un" or "Un-pak" from 1998 until 2000 as the son of an employee of the North Korean embassy in Bern. Authorities confirmed that a North Korean student from North Korea attended the school during that period. Pak-un first attended a special class for foreign-language children and later attended the regular classes of the 6th, 7th, 8th and part of the final 9th year, leaving the school abruptly in the autumn of 2000. He was described as a well-integrated and ambitious student who liked to play basketball.[18] However, his grades and attendance rating are reported to have been poor.[19] The ambassador of North Korea in Switzerland, Ri Chol, had a close relationship with him and acted as a mentor.[13] One of Pak-un's classmates told reporters that he had told him that he was the son of the leader of North Korea.[20][21] According to some reports, Kim was described by classmates as a shy child who was awkward with girls and indifferent to political issues, but who distinguished himself in sports and had a fascination with the American National Basketball Association and Michael Jordan. One friend claimed that he had been shown pictures of Pak-un with Kobe Bryant and Toni Kukoč.[22]

In April 2012, new documents came to light indicating that Kim Jong-un had lived in Switzerland since 1991 or 1992, earlier than previously thought.[23]

The Laboratory of Anatomic Anthropology at the University of Lyon, France, compared the picture of Pak-un taken at the Liebefeld Steinhölzli school in 1999 with a picture of Kim Jong-un from 2012 and concluded that the faces show a conformity of 95%, suggesting that it is most likely that they are the same person.[24]

The Washington Post reported in 2009 that Kim Jong-un's school friends recalled he "spent hours doing meticulous pencil drawings of Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan".[25] He was obsessed with basketball and computer games,[22][26] and was a fan of Jackie Chan action movies.[27]

Most analysts agree that Kim Jong-un attended Kim Il-sung University, a leading officer-training school in Pyongyang, from 2002 to 2007.[28] Kim obtained two degrees, one in physics at Kim Il-sung University and another as an Army officer at the Kim Il-sung Military University.[29][30]

In late February 2018, Reuters reported that Kim and his father had used forged passports—supposedly issued by Brazil and dated 26 February 1996—to apply for visas in various countries. Both 10-year passports carry a stamp saying "Embassy of Brazil in Prague". Kim Jong-un's passport records the name "Josef Pwag" and a date of birth of 1 February 1983.[31]

For many years, only one confirmed photograph of him was known to exist outside North Korea, apparently taken in the mid-1990s, when he was eleven.[32] Occasionally, other supposed images of him surfaced but were often disputed.[33] It was only in June 2010, shortly before he was given official posts and publicly introduced to the North Korean people, that more pictures were released of Kim, taken when he was attending school in Switzerland.[34] The first official image of him as an adult was a group photograph released on 30 September 2010, at the end of the party conference that effectively anointed him, in which he is seated in the front row, two places from his father. This was followed by newsreel footage of him attending the conference.[35]

Succession

Pre-2010 Party Conference speculation

Kim Jong-un's eldest half-brother, Kim Jong-nam, had been the favorite to succeed, but reportedly fell out of favor after 2001, when he was caught attempting to enter Japan on a fake passport to visit Tokyo Disneyland.[36] Kim Jong-nam was killed in Malaysia in 2017 by suspected North Korean agents.[37]

Kim Jong-il's former personal chef, Kenji Fujimoto, revealed details regarding Kim Jong-un, with whom he had a good relationship,[38] stating that he was favored to be his father's successor. Fujimoto also said that Jong-un was favored by his father over his elder brother, Kim Jong-chul, reasoning that Jong-chul is too feminine in character, while Jong-un is "exactly like his father".[39] Furthermore, Fujimoto stated that "if power is to be handed over then Jong-un is the best for it. He has superb physical gifts, is a big drinker and never admits defeat." Also, according to Fujimoto, Jong-un smokes Yves Saint Laurent cigarettes, loves Johnnie Walker whisky and has a Mercedes-Benz 600 luxury sedan.[40] When Jong-un was 18, Fujimoto described an episode where Jong-un once questioned his lavish lifestyle and asked, "we are here, playing basketball, riding horses, riding jet skis, having fun together. But what of the lives of the average people?"[39] On 15 January 2009, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that Kim Jong-il had appointed Kim Jong-un to be his successor.[36][41]

On 8 March 2009, BBC News reported that Kim Jong-un was on the ballot for 2009 elections to the Supreme People's Assembly, the rubber stamp parliament of North Korea.[42] Subsequent reports indicated that his name did not appear on the list of lawmakers,[43] but he was later elevated to a mid-level position in the National Defense Commission, which is a branch of the North Korean military.[44]

From 2009, it was understood by foreign diplomatic services that Kim was to succeed his father Kim Jong-il as the head of the Korean Workers' Party and de facto leader of North Korea.[45] He has been named "Yŏngmyŏng-han Tongji" (영명한 동지), which loosely translates to "Brilliant Comrade".[46] His father had also asked embassy staff abroad to pledge loyalty to his son.[47] There have also been reports that citizens in North Korea were encouraged to sing a newly composed "song of praise" to Kim Jong-un, in a similar fashion to that of praise songs relating to Kim Jong-il and Kim Il-sung.[4] Later, in June, Kim was reported to have visited China secretly to "present himself" to the Chinese leadership.[48] The Chinese foreign ministry has strongly denied that this visit occurred.[49]

In September 2009, it was reported that Kim Jong-il had secured support for the succession plan, after a propaganda campaign.[50] It is believed by some that Kim Jong-un was involved in the Cheonan sinking[51] and the bombardment of Yeonpyeong[52] to strengthen his military credentials and facilitate a successful transition of power from his father.[53]

Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission

Kim Jong-un was made a daejang, the equivalent of a four-star general in the United States,[54] on 27 September 2010, a day ahead of a rare Workers' Party of Korea conference in Pyongyang, the first time North Korean media had mentioned him by name and despite him having no previous military experience.[55] Despite the promotion, no further details, including verifiable portraits of Kim, were released.[56] On 28 September 2010, he was named vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and appointed to the Central Committee of the Workers' Party, in an apparent nod to become the successor to Kim Jong-il.[57]

On 10 October 2010, Kim Jong-un was alongside his father when he attended the ruling Workers' Party's 65th-anniversary celebration. This was seen as confirming his position as the next leader of the Workers' Party. Unprecedented international press access was granted to the event, further indicating the importance of Kim Jong-un's presence.[58] In January 2011, the regime reportedly began purging around 200 protégés of both Jong-un's uncle-in-law Jang Song-thaek and O Kuk-ryol, the vice chairman of the National Defence Commission, by either detention or execution to further prevent either man from rivaling Jong-un.[59]

Leader of North Korea

 
People paying homage to the statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il, April 2012
 
Portraits of Kim Jong-un's father and grandfather (Arirang Festival mass games in Pyongyang)

Assuming official titles

On 17 December 2011, Kim Jong-il died. Despite the elder Kim's plans, it was not immediately clear after his death whether Kim Jong-un would in fact take full power, and what his exact role in a new government would be.[60] Some analysts had predicted that when Kim Jong-il died, Jang Song-thaek would act as regent, as Kim Jong-un was too inexperienced to immediately lead the country.[61][62]

Following his father's death, Kim Jong-un was hailed as the "great successor to the revolutionary cause of Juche",[63] "outstanding leader of the party, army and people",[64] and "respected comrade who is identical to Supreme Commander Kim Jong-il",[65] and was made chairman of the Kim Jong-il funeral committee. The Korean Central News Agency described Kim Jong-un as "a great person born of heaven", a propaganda term only his father and grandfather had enjoyed.[66] The ruling Workers' Party of Korea also said in an editorial, "We vow with bleeding tears to call Kim Jong-un our supreme commander, our leader."[67]

He was publicly declared Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army on 24 December 2011,[68] and formally appointed to the position on 30 December 2011 when the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea "courteously proclaimed that the dear respected Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the WPK, assumed the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army".[69]

 
North Korean soldiers saluting at the Revolutionary Martyrs' Cemetery in Pyongyang, 2012

On 26 December 2011, the leading North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported that Kim Jong-un had been acting as chairman of the Central Military Commission,[70] and supreme leader of the country, following his father's demise.[71]

On 9 January 2012, a large rally was held by the Korean People's Army in front of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun to honor Kim Jong-un and to demonstrate loyalty.[72]

On 27 March 2012, Kim was elected to the Fourth Conference of the Workers' Party of Korea. On 11 April, that conference wrote the post of general secretary out of the party charter and instead designated Kim Jong-il as the party's "Eternal General Secretary". The conference then elected Kim Jong-un as leader of the party under the newly created title of First Secretary. Kim Jong-un also took his father's post as Chairman of the Central Military Commission, as well as his father's old seat on the Politburo Presidium.[73] In a speech made prior to the Conference, Kim Jong-un declared that "Imbuing the whole society with Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism is the highest programme of our Party".[74] On 13 April 2012, the 5th Session of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly appointed Kim Jong-un First Chairman of the National Defence Commission.[75]

On 15 April 2012, during a military parade to commemorate Kim Il-sung's centenary, Kim Jong-un made his first public speech, Let Us March Forward Dynamically Towards Final Victory, Holding Higher the Banner of Songun.[76] That speech became the basis of a hymn dedicated to him, "Onwards Toward the Final Victory".[77]

In July 2012,[78] Kim Jong-un was promoted to wonsu (translated as marshal), the highest active rank in the military. The decision was jointly issued on by the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, the National Defence Commission, and the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, the Korean Central News Agency subsequently announced.[79] The only higher rank is Taewonsu (roughly translated as Grand Marshal or Generalissimo) which was held by Kim's grandfather, Kim Il-sung, and which was awarded posthumously to his father, Kim Jong-il, in February 2012.[78][79] The promotion confirmed Kim's role as top leader of the North Korean military and came days after the replacement of Chief of General Staff Ri Yong-ho by Hyon Yong-chol.[79]

External image
  Satellite imagery show the message "Long Live General Kim Jong-un, the Shining Sun!" in Korean on a hillside.

In November 2012, satellite photos revealed a half-kilometer-long (1,600 ft) propaganda message carved into a hillside in Ryanggang Province, reading, "Long Live General Kim Jong-un, the Shining Sun"![80]

 
A selection of Kim Jong-un's works, translated to different languages

On 30 November 2012, Kim met with Li Jianguo, first-ranking vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, who "briefed Kim on the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China", according to the state's official news agency, the Korean Central News Agency.[81] A letter from Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, was hand-delivered during the discussion.[81]

On 9 March 2014, Kim Jong-un was elected to a seat in the Supreme People's Assembly, the country's unicameral legislature. He ran unopposed, but voters had the choice of voting yes or no. There was a record turnout of voters and, according to government officials, all voted "yes" in his home district of Mount Paekdu.[82] The Supreme People's Assembly subsequently elected him first chairman of the National Defence Commission.[83]

In May 2016, the Workers' Party of Korea held its first congress since 1980.[84] In the congress, Kim became the Chairman of the WPK.[85] On 29 June 2016, Kim became the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, after the State Affairs Commission replaced the National Defence Commission.[citation needed] The office of the Supreme Commander of the armed forces was linked to this office because of the 2019 constitutional amendment.[86]

In January 2021, the WPK held its 8th congress, in which Kim Jong-un was elected General Secretary of the WPK.[87] The congress also saw the WPK reassert its commitment to communism.[88]

Role in government

According to the North Korean constitution, Kim Jong-un is part of a triumvirate heading the executive branch of the North Korean government along with Premier Kim Tok-hun and parliament president Choe Ryong-hae. Kim Jong-un commands the armed forces, Kim Tok-hun heads the government and handles domestic affairs, and Choe Ryong-hae handles foreign relations. However, under the constitution, Kim Jong-un is the highest-ranking of the three. Since 1998, the NDC chairmanship has been constitutionally defined as "the highest post in the state",[89] and a constitutional amendment enacted by the regime explicitly named the NDC (first) chairman as "the supreme leader of the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea".[90] However, analysts are divided about how much actual power Kim has.[91][92][93]

Kim Jong-un frequently performs symbolic acts that associate him with the personality cult of his father and grandfather.[94][95] Like them, Kim Jong-un regularly tours the country, giving "on-the-spot guidance" at various sites.[96] North Korean state media often refers to him as "Respected Comrade Kim Jong-un"[97][98] or "Marshal Kim Jong-un".[99][100]

New leadership style

In July 2012, Kim Jong-un showed a change in cultural policy from his father by attending a Moranbong Band concert. The concert contained several elements of pop culture from the West, particularly the United States. Kim used this event to introduce his wife to the public, an unprecedented move in North Korea.[101]

In 2012, Kim Jong-il's personal chef Kenji Fujimoto visited North Korea and said, "Stores in Pyongyang were brimming with products and people in the streets looked cheerful. North Korea has changed a lot since Kim Jong-un assumed power. All of this is because of leader Kim Jong-un."[102]

According to analysts, Kim Jong-un has used his resemblance to his grandfather to harness Kim Il-sung's personality cult and popular nostalgia for earlier times.[103] In 2013, Kim copied his grandfather's style when he gave his first New Year's address, a break from the approach of his father, Kim Jong-il, who never made a televised address during his 17 years in power.[104] He has also appeared more accessible and open than his father, hugging and linking arms with young and old.[103] In his public appearances, he appears more active than his father or grandfather, for example, weeding, riding a horse, driving a tank, riding a rollercoaster, or using information technology.[103]

 
People in Pyongyang watch Kim Jong-un on North Korean TV, 2015

In April 2012, when a satellite launch failed, the government admitted this publicly, the first time it had ever done so.[103] In May 2014, following the collapse of an apartment building in Pyongyang, Kim Jong-un was said to be very upset at the loss of life that resulted. A statement issued by the country's official news agency the Korean Central News Agency used the rare expression "profound consolation and apology". An unnamed government official was quoted by the BBC as saying Kim Jong-un had "sat up all night, feeling painful".[105] While the height of the building and the number of casualties was not released, media reports described it as a 23-story building and indicated that more than a hundred people may have died in the collapse.[106]

Economic policies

Kim Jong-un has been promoting a policy of byungjin, similar to his grandfather Kim il-sung's policies from the 1960s, developing the national economy in parallel with the nations nuclear weapons program.[107][108][109] A set of comprehensive economic measures, the "Socialist Corporate Responsible Management System [ko]", were introduced in 2013.[110] The measures increase the autonomy of enterprises by granting them "certain rights to engage in business activities autonomously and elevate the will to labor through appropriately implementing the socialist distribution system". Another priority of economic policies that year was agriculture, where the pojon (vegetable garden) responsibility system was implemented. The system reportedly achieved a major increase in output in some collective farms.[110] North Korean media were describing the economy as a "flexible collectivist system" where enterprises were applying "active and evolutionary actions" to achieve economic development.[111] These reports reflect Kim's general economic policy of reforming management, increasing the autonomy and incentives for economic actors. This set of reforms known as the "May 30th measures" reaffirms both socialist ownership and "objective economic laws in guidance and management" to improve living standards. Other objectives of the measures are to increase the availability of domestically manufactured goods on markets, introduction of defence innovations into the civilian sector and boost international trade.[111]

There has been a construction boom in Pyongyang, bringing colour and creative architectural styles to the city. While in the past there was a concentration on building monuments, Kim Jong-un's government has constructed amusement parks, aquatic parks, skating rinks, a dolphinarium and a ski resort.[112][113] Kim has been actively promoting a consumer culture, including entertainment and cosmetics.[103]

Purges and executions

Further information: List of officials purged and executed by Kim Jong-un

As with all reporting on North Korea, reports of purges and executions are difficult to verify.[114] Allegations in 2013 that Kim Jong-un had his ex-girlfriend, singer Hyon Song-wol, executed for violating pornography laws turned out to be false.[115][116] In May 2016, analysts were surprised to find that General Ri Yong-gil, reported by South Korea to have been executed earlier in the year, was, in fact, alive and well.[117]

In December 2013, Kim Jong-un's uncle Jang Song-thaek was arrested and executed for treachery.[118][119] Jang is believed to have been executed by firing squad. Yonhap has stated that, according to multiple unnamed sources, Kim Jong-un has also put to death members of Jang's family, to completely destroy all traces of Jang's existence through "extensive executions" of his family, including the children and grandchildren of all close relatives. Those reportedly killed in Kim's purge include Jang's sister Jang Kye-sun, her husband and ambassador to Cuba, Jon Yong-jin, and Jang's nephew and ambassador to Malaysia, Jang Yong-chol. The nephew's two sons were also said to have been killed.[120] At the time of Jang's removal, it was announced that "the discovery and purge of the Jang group ... made our party and revolutionary ranks purer ..."[121] and after his execution on 12 December 2013 state media warned that the army "will never pardon all those who disobey the order of the Supreme Commander".[122]

O Sang-hon was a deputy security minister in the Ministry of People's Security in the government of North Korea who was reportedly killed in a political purge in 2014. According to the South Korean newspaper The Chosun Ilbo, O was executed by flamethrower for his role in supporting Kim Jong-un's uncle Jang Song-taek.[123]

Human rights violations

See also: Human rights in North Korea

In January 2013, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said that the North Korean human rights situation had not improved since Kim had taken power and called for an investigation.[124] A report on the situation of human rights in North Korea in February 2013[125] by United Nations Special Rapporteur Marzuki Darusman proposed a UN commission of inquiry.[126] The report of the commission of inquiry[127] was published in February 2014 and suggested Kim could "possibly" be made accountable for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court.[128]

In July 2016, the United States Department of the Treasury imposed personal sanctions on Kim. Although his involvement in human rights abuses was cited as the reason,[129] officials said the sanctions target the country's nuclear and missile programs.[130]

In June 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump condemned Kim Jong-un's "brutal" regime and described Kim as a "madman" after the death of American student Otto Warmbier who had been imprisoned during a visit to North Korea.[131] However, in 2019, President Trump said that he believed Kim was not responsible for Warmbier's death.[132]

Alleged assassination attempts

In 2012, a machine gun was discovered beneath a juniper tree in Ryugyeongwon, located near a route that Kim was going to travel. It was assumed this was part of an assassination attempt.[133]

In May 2017, the North Korean government stated that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States and the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) hired a North Korean lumberjack who worked in Russia to assassinate Kim with a "biochemical weapon" that was both radioactive and nano-poisonous, and whose effect would have been delayed by a few months.[134] North Korea said that it would seek extradition of anyone involved in the assassination attempt.[135]

Nuclear weapons development

See also: North Korea and weapons of mass destruction
 
Model of an Unha-9 rocket on display at a floral exhibition in Pyongyang, 30 August 2013

Under Kim Jong-un, North Korea has continued to develop nuclear weapons, testing bombs in February 2013, January and September 2016, and September 2017.[136] As of 2018, North Korea had tested nearly 90 missiles, three times more than in the time of his father and grandfather.[103] In 2012, on the 100th anniversary of Kim Il-sung's birth, he said, "the days are gone forever when our enemies could blackmail us with nuclear bombs".[103] At a plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party held on 31 March 2013, he announced that North Korea would adopt "a new strategic line on carrying out economic construction and building nuclear armed forces simultaneously".[137]

According to several analysts, North Korea sees the nuclear arsenal as vital to deter an attack, and it is unlikely that North Korea would launch a nuclear war.[138] According to a RAND Corporation senior researcher, Kim Jong-un believes that nuclear weapons are his guarantee of regime survival.[139]

During the 7th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea in 2016, Kim Jong-un stated that North Korea would "not use nuclear weapons first unless aggressive hostile forces use nuclear weapons to invade on our sovereignty".[140] However, on other occasions, North Korea has threatened "pre-emptive" nuclear attacks against a US-led attack.[141] In December 2015, Kim stated that his family "turned the DPRK into a powerful nuclear weapons state ready to detonate a self-reliant A-bomb and H-bomb to reliably defend its sovereignty and the dignity of the nation".[142]

In January 2018, estimates of North Korea's nuclear arsenal ranged between 15 and 60 bombs, probably including hydrogen bombs. In the opinion of analysts, the Hwasong-15 missile is capable of striking anywhere in the United States.[136]

The United Nations enacted a series of sanctions against North Korea for its nuclear program and missile tests.[143]

Kim officially declared North Korea a nuclear weapons state during a speech on 9 September 2022, the country's foundation day.[144]

Diplomacy 2018–2019

 
Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in shake hands during the 2018 inter-Korean Summit, April 2018
 
Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump shake hands at the start of the 2018 North Korea–United States Summit, June 2018
 
Kim meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the North Korea–Russia Summit, April 2019

In his 2018 New Year Speech, Kim announced that he was open to dialogue with South Korea with a view to take part in the upcoming Winter Olympics in the South.[145] The Seoul–Pyongyang hotline was reopened after almost two years.[146] North and South Korea marched together in the Olympics opening ceremony, and fielded a united women's ice hockey team.[147] In addition to the athletes, Kim sent an unprecedented high-level delegation including his sister, Kim Yo-jong, and President of the Presidium, Kim Yong-nam, and performers such as the Samjiyon Orchestra.[148] On 5 March, he had a meeting with South Korea's Chief of the National Security Office, Chung Eui-yong, in Pyongyang.[149]

In March 2018, Kim visited Beijing, meeting with General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping,[150][151] marking his first foreign trip since assuming power.[152]

At the April 2018 inter-Korean summit, Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in signed the Panmunjom Declaration, pledging to convert the Korean Armistice Agreement into a full peace treaty, formally ending the Korean War, by the end of the year.[153][154][155]

From 7–8 May, Kim made a second visit to China, meeting with Xi Jinping in Dalian.[156]

On 26 May, Kim had a second and unannounced meeting in the North Korean side of Panmunjom, meeting with Moon to discuss his proposed summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore.[157][158]

On 10 June, Kim arrived in Singapore and met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.[159] On 12 June, Kim held his first summit with Trump and signed a declaration, affirming a commitment to peace, nuclear disarmament, and the repatriation of the remains of U.S. war dead.[160] This marked the first-ever meeting between leaders of North Korea and the United States.[160]

In September, Kim held another summit with Moon Jae-in in Pyongyang. Kim agreed to dismantle North Korea's nuclear weapons facilities if the United States took reciprocal action. The two governments also announced that they would establish buffer zones on their borders to prevent clashes.[161]

In February 2019, Kim held another summit with Trump in Hanoi, Vietnam, which Trump cut short on the second day without an agreement. The Trump administration said that the North Koreans wanted complete sanctions relief, while the North Koreans said that they were only asking for partial sanctions relief.[162]

On 25 April 2019, Kim held his first summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok, Russia.[163][164] On 30 June 2019, in the Korean DMZ, Kim again met with Trump, shaking hands warmly and expressing hope for peace. Kim and Trump then joined Moon Jae-in for a brief chat.[165] Talks in Stockholm began on 5 October 2019 between US and North Korean negotiating teams, but broke down after one day.[166]

During the COVID-19 pandemic

During 2020, Kim claimed success in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic in North Korea, after putting the country in isolation and limiting public gatherings.[167]

In April 2020, a three-week absence from public view led to speculation that Kim was seriously ill or dead, but no clear evidence of any health problem came to light.[168][169] He continued to appear in public rarely over the following months, possibly because of health problems or the risk of COVID-19.[170] In August, it was reported that Kim had ceded a degree of authority to his sister, Kim Yo-jong, giving her responsibility for relations with South Korea and the United States and making her his de facto second-in-command.[171]

On 5 September 2020, Kim toured the areas hit by Typhoon Maysak. He also replaced the local provincial party committee chairman and ordered Pyongyang officials to lead a recovery effort.[172] His ruling party also pledged harsh punishment for the city and provincial officials, stating that they failed to protect the residents from the disaster.[173] Kim fired Kim Song-il, who was chairman of the South Hamgyong Province Workers' Party of Korea Committee.[174]

At the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, held in early January 2021, Kim delivered a nine-hour-long report in which he admitted failures in carrying out the economic plan and lambasted leading officials' shortcomings.[175] He also praised the country's nuclear capability and addressed the United States as the DPRK's main enemy.[176] The congress restored the operative functions of the General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, a title previously awarded "eternally" to Kim Jong-il in 2012,[177] and elected Kim Jong-un to it.[178] In February 2021, state-run media began referring to Kim as "president" in English language articles.[179] In November 2021, the South Korean National Intelligence Service reported that the North Korean government has begun using the term "Kim Jong-un-ism", in an effort to establish an independent ideological system centered on Kim. Analyst Ken Gause described this as Kim "now ready to put his stamp firmly on the regime".[180]

In January 2022, a North Korean KCTV documentary, "2021, A Great Victorious Year", was released, which appeared to address Kim's sudden weight loss and infrequent public appearances. It said that Kim's body had "completely withered away" as he "suffered" for the people during 2021, completing tasks hitherto unpublicized while North Korea faced "challenges" and "worst-ever hardships".[181]

In May 2022, North Korea announced that its first COVID-19 outbreak had started in April. In a meeting with the WPK, Kim ordered "all the cities and counties of the whole country to thoroughly lock down," and called for the mobilization of emergency reserve medical supplies.[182] In the days that followed the country's announcement, hundreds of thousands of new cases of fevers were reported, as well as 27 related deaths related to fever of unidentified origins, among which one death was confirmed as from the Omicron variant according to state media outlet KCNA.[183] Kim spoke further at a subsequent WPK meeting, stating that the virus had brought “great turmoil” to his country, and urged the party and people to remain unified and organized in their efforts to combat the virus.[183] Kim went on to blame the crisis on incompetence and irresponsibility on the part of the party organizations, and also cast blame on “negligence including drug overdose due to lack of knowledge of treatment methods” as the reason for most of the deaths since the outbreak.[183] As part of the country’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Kim stated that he looked to learn from the response mounted by China.[184] By the end of May, North Korean state media reported the COVID-19 outbreak was “controlled and improved across the country” following a re-evaluation by Kim and the WPK.[185]

Personal life

Personality

Kenji Fujimoto, a Japanese chef who was Kim Jong-il's personal cook, described Kim Jong-un as "a chip off the old block, a spitting image of his father in terms of face, body shape, and personality".[186] Kim is a fan of basketball, and his favorite teams include the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers.[27][187]

On 26 February 2013, Kim Jong‑un met Dennis Rodman,[188] which led many reporters to speculate that Rodman was the first American that Kim had met.[189] During Rodman's trip, Vice magazine correspondent Ryan Duffy said that Kim was "socially awkward" and avoided eye contact.[190]

According to Cheong Seong-chang of the Sejong Institute, Kim Jong-un has greater visible interest in the welfare of his people and engages in greater interaction with them than his father did.[191]

South Koreans who saw Kim at the summit in April 2018 described him as straightforward, humorous, and attentive.[192] After meeting him, Donald Trump said, "I learned he was a talented man. I also learned he loves his country very much." He added that Kim had a "great personality" and was "very smart".[193]

Public image

Forbes magazine ranked Kim as the 36th most powerful person in the world in 2018, the highest amongst Koreans.[194]

In a 2013 poll, 61.7% of North Korean defectors in South Korea said that Kim Jong Un was probably supported by most of his countrymen, an increase from the 55.7% approval rating for his father in a similar survey done two years earlier.[195]

In a poll of South Koreans conducted following the May 2018 inter-Korean summit, 78% of respondents said they trusted Kim, compared with 10% approval a couple months prior.[196]

The nickname "Kim Fatty the Third" (Chinese: 金三胖; pinyin: Jīn Sān Pàng) began trending among Chinese users of the websites Baidu and Sina Weibo in late 2016. In response, the North Korean government successfully petitioned the Chinese government to censor the nickname on all Chinese websites.[197]

Wealth

International Business Times reported Kim to have 17 luxury palaces around North Korea, a fleet of 100 (mostly European) luxury cars, a private jet, and a 100-foot (30 m) yacht.[198] Rodman described his trip to a private island owned by Kim Jong-un: "It's like Hawaii, Ibiza, or Aruba but he's the only one that lives there."[199]

In 2012, Business Insider reported that there were "[s]igns of a rise in luxury goods ... creeping out of North Korea since Kim Jong-un took over" and that his "wife Ri Sol-ju (리설주) was photographed holding what appeared to be an expensive Dior handbag, worth almost $1,594 – an average year's salary in North Korea".[200] According to diplomatic sources, "Kim Jong-un likes to drink and party all night like his father and ordered the [imported sauna] equipment to help him beat hangovers and fatigue."[201]

In 2018, Kim received delivery of two armored Mercedes-Maybach S600s, each valued at $500,000, through an illicit shipping network in violation of international sanctions.[202]

Health

In 2009, reports suggested that Kim Jong-un was a diabetic and suffered from hypertension.[47] He is also known to smoke cigarettes.[203]

Kim Jong-un did not appear in public for six weeks in September and October 2014. State media reported that he was suffering from an "uncomfortable physical condition". Previously he had been limping.[204] When he reappeared, he was using a walking stick.[205]

In September 2015, the South Korean government commented that Kim appeared to have gained 30 kg (66 lb) in body fat over the previous five years, reaching a total estimated body weight of 130 kg (290 lb).[206]

In April 2020, Kim was not seen in public for 20 days, leading to rumours that he was critically ill or dead.[207][208][209] In June 2021, following a one-month-long absence from the public eye, outside observers noted that Kim had lost considerable amount of weight.[210] It is speculated that he had lost 10 to 20 kg (22 to 44 lb).[211]

Family

Main article: Kim family (North Korea)
 
Kim (holding envelope) with Chung Eui-yong. Kim's sister Kim Yo-jong (on the right) is said to be very close to him

On 25 July 2012, North Korean state media reported for the first time that Kim Jong-un was married to Ri Sol-ju.[212][213] Ri, who was believed to be in her early 20s, had been accompanying Kim Jong-un to public appearances for several weeks prior to the announcement.[213] According to a South Korean analyst, Kim Jong-il had hastily arranged the marriage after suffering a stroke in 2008, the two married in 2009, and they had a son in 2010.[214][215] Dennis Rodman, after visiting in 2013, reported that they had a second newborn child, a daughter named Ju-ae.[214][216][217] According to South Korean intelligence sources, the couple is believed to have had a third child, a daughter, in February 2017.[214][218][219]

On 18 November 2022, Kim Jong-un was seen reviewing key military arsenals with his daughter Ju-ae.[220] The two were seen together again at a gathering with missile scientists later in the same month.[221]

Kim is sometimes accompanied by his younger sister Kim Yo-jong,[10] who is said to be instrumental in creating his public image and organising public events for him.[222] According to Kim Yong-hyun, a professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University in Seoul, and others, the promotion of Yo-jong and others is a sign that "the Kim Jong-un regime has ended its co-existence with the remnants of the previous Kim Jong-il regime by carrying out a generational replacement in the party's key elite posts".[223]

On 13 February 2017, Kim Jong-nam, the exiled half-brother of Kim Jong-un, was assassinated with the nerve agent VX while walking through Terminal 2 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.[224] Kim Jong-un is widely believed to have ordered the assassination.[225][226]

Awards and honors

  Jubilee Medal "75 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" (Russia, 2020) — awarded for his efforts at preserving the memory of Soviet soldiers who died during the Soviet–Japanese War (1945) and were buried in North Korea[227]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Kim Jong-un held the same position under the title of "First Secretary" from 11 April 2012 until 9 May 2016 and "Chairman" from 9 May 2016 until 10 January 2021.
  2. ^ In this Korean name, the family name is Kim.
  3. ^ Officially transcribed as Kim Jong Un by North Korean sources.
  4. ^ In Korean, the given name Jong-un or Jong Un is pronounced [tsɔŋ.ɯn] in isolation.
  5. ^ Per North Korean sources. For other claimed birthyears, see the Early life section.
  6. ^ Kim Jong-un has served as leader of the Workers' Party of Korea as First Secretary between 2012 and 2016, Chairman between 2016 and 2021, and General Secretary since 2021.

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Further reading

  • Bechtol, Bruce E. Jr. (2014). North Korea and Regional Security in the Kim Jong-un Era: A New International Security Dilemma. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-1-137-40007-9.
  • Frank, Rüdiger. "Political Economy and Ideology under Kim Jong Un." in Routledge Handbook of Contemporary North Korea (Routledge, 2020) pp. 56–74.
  • French, Paul (2016). Our Supreme Leader: The Making of Kim Jong-un. London: Zed Books. ISBN 978-1-78360-900-0.
  • Fifield, Anna (2019). The Great Successor: The Divinely Perfect Destiny of Brilliant Comrade Kim Jong Un. PublicAffairs. ISBN 978-1541742482.
  • Hoshino, Masahiro; Hiraiwa, Shunji (2020). "Four factors in the "special relationship" between China and North Korea: A framework for analyzing the China–North Korea Relationship under Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un". Journal of Contemporary East Asia Studies. 9: 18–28. doi:10.1080/24761028.2020.1754998.
  • Kim, Ki-hun (2019). "Studies on the North Korean Monetary Economy in the Kim Jong-un Era". Journal of Peace and Unification. 9 (1): 109–148. doi:10.31780/jpu.2019.9.1.109. S2CID 195487251.
  • Moreshead, Paul. "Review of The Secret Rise and Rule of Kim Jong Un" H-War, H-Net Reviews (December 2020). online
  • Pak, Jung H. (2020). Becoming Kim Jong Un: A Former CIA Officer's Insights into North Korea's Enigmatic Young Dictator. New York: Ballantine Books. ISBN 978-1-9848-1972-7.
  • Pardo, Ramon Pacheco. North Korea-US Relations: From Kim Jong Il to Kim Jong Un (2nd ed. Routledge, 2020). excerpt
  • (PDF). Vol. 1. Pyongyang: Foreign Languages Publishing House. 2016. ISBN 978-9946-0-1430-2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 April 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  • Lee, Kyo-Duk; Lim, Soon-Hee; Cho, Jeong-Ah; Song, Joung-Ho (2013). Study on the Power Elite of the Kim Jong Un Regime (PDF). Study Series 13-01. Seoul: Korea Institute for National Unification. ISBN 978-89-8479-708-6.
  • Thak Song-il; An Su-yong, eds. (January 2014). (PDF). Pyongyang: Foreign Languages Publishing House. ISBN 978-9946-0-1192-9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  • An Chol-gang, ed. (November 2014). (PDF). Pyongyang: Foreign Languages Publishing House. ISBN 978-9946-0-1192-9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  • Thak Son-il; An Su-yong (2017). Anecdotes of Kim Jong Un's Life. Pyongyang: Foreign Languages Publishing House. ISBN 978-9946-0-1530-9.
  • Thak Song-il, ed. (2018). Son of the People (PDF). Translated by Mun Myong-song; Jong Myong-jin. Pyongyang: Foreign Languages Publishing House. ISBN 978-9946-0-1719-8.

External links

 
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Party political offices
Preceded by General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea
First Secretary: 2012–2016
Chairman: 2016–2021
2012–present 		Incumbent
Chairman of the Central Military Commission
Acting: 2011–2012
2012–present
New office Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission
2010–2012
Served alongside: Ri Yong-ho 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by President of the State Affairs Commission
National Defence Commission: 2012–2016
2012–present 		Incumbent
Military offices
Preceded by Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of North Korea
Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army: 2011–2019
2011–present 		Incumbent

January 21, 2023
jong, other, people, named, disambiguation, english, korean, 김정은, korean, dʑɔŋ, ɯːn, born, january, 1982, north, korean, politician, been, supreme, leader, north, korea, since, 2011, leader, workers, party, korea, since, 2012, jong, north, korea, second, supre. For other people named Kim Jong un see Kim Jong un disambiguation Kim Jong un b c English ˌ k ɪ m dʒ ɒ ŋ ˈ ʊ n ˈ uː n 2 Korean 김정은 Korean kim dʑɔŋ ɯːn d born 8 January 1982 e is a North Korean politician who has been Supreme Leader of North Korea since 2011 and the leader of the Workers Party of Korea WPK since 2012 f He is a son of Kim Jong il who was North Korea s second supreme leader from 1994 to 2011 and Ko Yong hui He is a grandson of Kim Il sung who was the founder and first supreme leader of North Korea from its establishment in 1948 until his death in 1994 Kim Jong un is the first leader of North Korea to have been born in the country after its founding in 1948 Respected ComradeMarshal of the RepublicKim Jong un김정은Kim in 2019General Secretary of the Workers Party of Korea a IncumbentAssumed office 11 April 2012Preceded byKim Jong ilPresident of the State Affairs of North KoreaIncumbentAssumed office 29 June 2016First Vice PresidentChoe Ryong haeVice PresidentHwang Pyong soPak Pong juChoe Ryong haeKim Tok hunPremierPak Pong juKim Jae ryongKim Tok hunPreceded byHimself as First Chairman of the National Defense Commission Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of North KoreaIncumbentAssumed office 30 December 2011Preceded byKim Jong ilFirst Chairman of the National Defense CommissionIn office 13 April 2012 29 June 2016Vice ChairmanKim Yong chunRi Yong muJang Song taekO Kuk ryolChoe Ryong haeHwang Pyong soPremierChoe Yong rimPak Pong juPreceded byKim Jong il as Chairman Succeeded byHimself as President of the State Affairs Personal detailsBorn 1982 01 08 8 January 1982 age 41 per North Korean sources Pyongyang North KoreaPolitical partyWorkers Party of KoreaSpouseRi Sol ju m 2009 wbr Children3 unconfirmed ParentsKim Jong il father Ko Yong hui mother RelativesKim familyAlma materKim Il sung University Kim Il sung Military UniversitySignatureMilitary serviceAllegiance North KoreaBranch service Korean People s ArmyYears of service2010 presentRankWonsuKorean nameChosŏn gŭl김정은Hancha金正恩 1 Revised RomanizationGim Jeong eunMcCune ReischauerKim ChŏngŭnCentral institution membership 2012 present Member Presidium of the Political Bureau of the 6th 7th 8th Central Committee of the Workers Party of Korea2012 present Member Political Bureau of the 6th 7th 8th Central Committee of the Workers Party of Korea2010 present Member 6th 7th 8th Central Committee of the Workers Party of Korea2014 2019 Deputy 13th Supreme People s Assembly Other offices held 2012 present Chairman Central Military Commission of the Workers Party of Korea2010 2012 Vice Chairman Central Military Commission of the Workers Party of KoreaFrom late 2010 Kim was viewed as successor to the leadership of North Korea Following his father s death in December 2011 state television announced Kim as the Great Successor Kim holds the titles of General Secretary of the Workers Party of Korea 3 Chairman of the Central Military Commission and President of the State Affairs He is also a member of the Presidium of the Politburo of the Workers Party of Korea the highest decision making body In July 2012 Kim was promoted to the highest rank of Marshal in the Korean People s Army consolidating his position as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces North Korean state media often refer to him as Respected Comrade Kim Jong un or Marshal Kim Jong un He has promoted the policy of byungjin similar to Kim Il sung s policy from the 1960s referring to the simultaneous development of both the economy and the country s nuclear weapons program Kim rules North Korea as a totalitarian dictatorship 4 5 and his leadership has followed the same cult of personality as his father and grandfather In 2014 a landmark United Nations Human Rights Council report suggested that Kim could be put on trial for crimes against humanity He has ordered the purge or execution of several North Korean officials he is also widely believed to have ordered the 2017 assassination of his half brother Kim Jong nam in Malaysia He has presided over an expansion of the consumer economy construction projects and tourist attractions Kim also expanded North Korea s nuclear program which led to heightened tensions with the United States and South Korea In 2018 and 2019 Kim took part in summits with South Korean President Moon Jae in and US President Donald Trump He has claimed success in combatting the COVID 19 pandemic in North Korea the country did not report any confirmed cases until May 2022 although many experts doubt this claim 6 Contents 1 Early life 2 Succession 2 1 Pre 2010 Party Conference speculation 2 2 Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission 3 Leader of North Korea 3 1 Assuming official titles 3 2 Role in government 3 3 New leadership style 3 4 Economic policies 3 5 Purges and executions 3 6 Human rights violations 3 7 Alleged assassination attempts 3 8 Nuclear weapons development 3 9 Diplomacy 2018 2019 3 10 During the COVID 19 pandemic 4 Personal life 4 1 Personality 4 2 Public image 4 3 Wealth 4 4 Health 4 5 Family 5 Awards and honors 6 See also 7 Notes 8 References 9 Further reading 10 External linksEarly lifeNorth Korean authorities and state run media have stated Kim s birthdate was 8 January 1982 7 but South Korean intelligence officials believe the actual date is a year later 8 It is thought that Kim s official birthyear was changed for symbolic reasons 1982 marks 70 years after the birth of his grandfather Kim Il sung and 40 years after the official birth of his father Kim Jong il 5 Before 2018 the US Treasury Department listed Kim Jong un s birthdate as 8 January 1984 Now the birthdate is listed as 8 January 1983 aligning with South Korea s birthdate for Kim Jong un 5 The claim that he was born in 1984 matches that given by his aunt and uncle who moved to the United States in 1998 and were interrogated by the CIA 9 Kim Jong un is the second of the three children of Ko Yong hui and Kim Jong il his elder brother Kim Jong chul was born in 1981 while his younger sister Kim Yo jong is believed to have been born in 1987 10 11 He is a grandson of Kim Il sung who was the founder of and led North Korea from its establishment in 1948 until his death in 1994 12 Kim is the first leader of North Korea to have been born a North Korean citizen his father having been born in the Soviet Union and his grandfather having been born during the Japanese colonial period All the children of Kim Jong il are said to have lived in Switzerland as well as the mother of the two youngest sons who lived in Geneva for some time 13 First reports said that Kim Jong un attended the private International School of Berne in Gumligen in Switzerland under the name Chol pak or Pak chol from 1993 to 1998 14 He was described as shy a good student who got along well with his classmates and was a basketball fan 15 He was chaperoned by an older student who was thought to be his bodyguard 16 However it was later suggested that the student at the Gumligen school was not Kim Jong un but his elder brother Kim Jong chul 17 The Liebefeld Steinholzli public school in Koniz Switzerland reportedly attended by Kim Jong un Later it was reported that Kim Jong un attended the Liebefeld Steinholzli state school in Koniz near Bern under the name Pak un or Un pak from 1998 until 2000 as the son of an employee of the North Korean embassy in Bern Authorities confirmed that a North Korean student from North Korea attended the school during that period Pak un first attended a special class for foreign language children and later attended the regular classes of the 6th 7th 8th and part of the final 9th year leaving the school abruptly in the autumn of 2000 He was described as a well integrated and ambitious student who liked to play basketball 18 However his grades and attendance rating are reported to have been poor 19 The ambassador of North Korea in Switzerland Ri Chol had a close relationship with him and acted as a mentor 13 One of Pak un s classmates told reporters that he had told him that he was the son of the leader of North Korea 20 21 According to some reports Kim was described by classmates as a shy child who was awkward with girls and indifferent to political issues but who distinguished himself in sports and had a fascination with the American National Basketball Association and Michael Jordan One friend claimed that he had been shown pictures of Pak un with Kobe Bryant and Toni Kukoc 22 In April 2012 new documents came to light indicating that Kim Jong un had lived in Switzerland since 1991 or 1992 earlier than previously thought 23 The Laboratory of Anatomic Anthropology at the University of Lyon France compared the picture of Pak un taken at the Liebefeld Steinholzli school in 1999 with a picture of Kim Jong un from 2012 and concluded that the faces show a conformity of 95 suggesting that it is most likely that they are the same person 24 The Washington Post reported in 2009 that Kim Jong un s school friends recalled he spent hours doing meticulous pencil drawings of Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan 25 He was obsessed with basketball and computer games 22 26 and was a fan of Jackie Chan action movies 27 Most analysts agree that Kim Jong un attended Kim Il sung University a leading officer training school in Pyongyang from 2002 to 2007 28 Kim obtained two degrees one in physics at Kim Il sung University and another as an Army officer at the Kim Il sung Military University 29 30 In late February 2018 Reuters reported that Kim and his father had used forged passports supposedly issued by Brazil and dated 26 February 1996 to apply for visas in various countries Both 10 year passports carry a stamp saying Embassy of Brazil in Prague Kim Jong un s passport records the name Josef Pwag and a date of birth of 1 February 1983 31 For many years only one confirmed photograph of him was known to exist outside North Korea apparently taken in the mid 1990s when he was eleven 32 Occasionally other supposed images of him surfaced but were often disputed 33 It was only in June 2010 shortly before he was given official posts and publicly introduced to the North Korean people that more pictures were released of Kim taken when he was attending school in Switzerland 34 The first official image of him as an adult was a group photograph released on 30 September 2010 at the end of the party conference that effectively anointed him in which he is seated in the front row two places from his father This was followed by newsreel footage of him attending the conference 35 SuccessionPre 2010 Party Conference speculation Kim Jong un s eldest half brother Kim Jong nam had been the favorite to succeed but reportedly fell out of favor after 2001 when he was caught attempting to enter Japan on a fake passport to visit Tokyo Disneyland 36 Kim Jong nam was killed in Malaysia in 2017 by suspected North Korean agents 37 Kim Jong il s former personal chef Kenji Fujimoto revealed details regarding Kim Jong un with whom he had a good relationship 38 stating that he was favored to be his father s successor Fujimoto also said that Jong un was favored by his father over his elder brother Kim Jong chul reasoning that Jong chul is too feminine in character while Jong un is exactly like his father 39 Furthermore Fujimoto stated that if power is to be handed over then Jong un is the best for it He has superb physical gifts is a big drinker and never admits defeat Also according to Fujimoto Jong un smokes Yves Saint Laurent cigarettes loves Johnnie Walker whisky and has a Mercedes Benz 600 luxury sedan 40 When Jong un was 18 Fujimoto described an episode where Jong un once questioned his lavish lifestyle and asked we are here playing basketball riding horses riding jet skis having fun together But what of the lives of the average people 39 On 15 January 2009 the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that Kim Jong il had appointed Kim Jong un to be his successor 36 41 On 8 March 2009 BBC News reported that Kim Jong un was on the ballot for 2009 elections to the Supreme People s Assembly the rubber stamp parliament of North Korea 42 Subsequent reports indicated that his name did not appear on the list of lawmakers 43 but he was later elevated to a mid level position in the National Defense Commission which is a branch of the North Korean military 44 From 2009 it was understood by foreign diplomatic services that Kim was to succeed his father Kim Jong il as the head of the Korean Workers Party and de facto leader of North Korea 45 He has been named Yŏngmyŏng han Tongji 영명한 동지 which loosely translates to Brilliant Comrade 46 His father had also asked embassy staff abroad to pledge loyalty to his son 47 There have also been reports that citizens in North Korea were encouraged to sing a newly composed song of praise to Kim Jong un in a similar fashion to that of praise songs relating to Kim Jong il and Kim Il sung 4 Later in June Kim was reported to have visited China secretly to present himself to the Chinese leadership 48 The Chinese foreign ministry has strongly denied that this visit occurred 49 In September 2009 it was reported that Kim Jong il had secured support for the succession plan after a propaganda campaign 50 It is believed by some that Kim Jong un was involved in the Cheonan sinking 51 and the bombardment of Yeonpyeong 52 to strengthen his military credentials and facilitate a successful transition of power from his father 53 Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Kim Jong un was made a daejang the equivalent of a four star general in the United States 54 on 27 September 2010 a day ahead of a rare Workers Party of Korea conference in Pyongyang the first time North Korean media had mentioned him by name and despite him having no previous military experience 55 Despite the promotion no further details including verifiable portraits of Kim were released 56 On 28 September 2010 he was named vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and appointed to the Central Committee of the Workers Party in an apparent nod to become the successor to Kim Jong il 57 On 10 October 2010 Kim Jong un was alongside his father when he attended the ruling Workers Party s 65th anniversary celebration This was seen as confirming his position as the next leader of the Workers Party Unprecedented international press access was granted to the event further indicating the importance of Kim Jong un s presence 58 In January 2011 the regime reportedly began purging around 200 proteges of both Jong un s uncle in law Jang Song thaek and O Kuk ryol the vice chairman of the National Defence Commission by either detention or execution to further prevent either man from rivaling Jong un 59 Leader of North Korea People paying homage to the statues of Kim Il sung and Kim Jong il April 2012 Portraits of Kim Jong un s father and grandfather Arirang Festival mass games in Pyongyang Assuming official titles On 17 December 2011 Kim Jong il died Despite the elder Kim s plans it was not immediately clear after his death whether Kim Jong un would in fact take full power and what his exact role in a new government would be 60 Some analysts had predicted that when Kim Jong il died Jang Song thaek would act as regent as Kim Jong un was too inexperienced to immediately lead the country 61 62 Following his father s death Kim Jong un was hailed as the great successor to the revolutionary cause of Juche 63 outstanding leader of the party army and people 64 and respected comrade who is identical to Supreme Commander Kim Jong il 65 and was made chairman of the Kim Jong il funeral committee The Korean Central News Agency described Kim Jong un as a great person born of heaven a propaganda term only his father and grandfather had enjoyed 66 The ruling Workers Party of Korea also said in an editorial We vow with bleeding tears to call Kim Jong un our supreme commander our leader 67 He was publicly declared Supreme Commander of the Korean People s Army on 24 December 2011 68 and formally appointed to the position on 30 December 2011 when the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers Party of Korea courteously proclaimed that the dear respected Kim Jong Un vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the WPK assumed the supreme commandership of the Korean People s Army 69 North Korean soldiers saluting at the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery in Pyongyang 2012 On 26 December 2011 the leading North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported that Kim Jong un had been acting as chairman of the Central Military Commission 70 and supreme leader of the country following his father s demise 71 On 9 January 2012 a large rally was held by the Korean People s Army in front of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun to honor Kim Jong un and to demonstrate loyalty 72 On 27 March 2012 Kim was elected to the Fourth Conference of the Workers Party of Korea On 11 April that conference wrote the post of general secretary out of the party charter and instead designated Kim Jong il as the party s Eternal General Secretary The conference then elected Kim Jong un as leader of the party under the newly created title of First Secretary Kim Jong un also took his father s post as Chairman of the Central Military Commission as well as his father s old seat on the Politburo Presidium 73 In a speech made prior to the Conference Kim Jong un declared that Imbuing the whole society with Kimilsungism Kimjongilism is the highest programme of our Party 74 On 13 April 2012 the 5th Session of the 12th Supreme People s Assembly appointed Kim Jong un First Chairman of the National Defence Commission 75 On 15 April 2012 during a military parade to commemorate Kim Il sung s centenary Kim Jong un made his first public speech Let Us March Forward Dynamically Towards Final Victory Holding Higher the Banner of Songun 76 That speech became the basis of a hymn dedicated to him Onwards Toward the Final Victory 77 In July 2012 78 Kim Jong un was promoted to wonsu translated as marshal the highest active rank in the military The decision was jointly issued on by the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the Workers Party of Korea the National Defence Commission and the Presidium of the Supreme People s Assembly the Korean Central News Agency subsequently announced 79 The only higher rank is Taewonsu roughly translated as Grand Marshal or Generalissimo which was held by Kim s grandfather Kim Il sung and which was awarded posthumously to his father Kim Jong il in February 2012 78 79 The promotion confirmed Kim s role as top leader of the North Korean military and came days after the replacement of Chief of General Staff Ri Yong ho by Hyon Yong chol 79 External image Satellite imagery show the message Long Live General Kim Jong un the Shining Sun in Korean on a hillside In November 2012 satellite photos revealed a half kilometer long 1 600 ft propaganda message carved into a hillside in Ryanggang Province reading Long Live General Kim Jong un the Shining Sun 80 A selection of Kim Jong un s works translated to different languages On 30 November 2012 Kim met with Li Jianguo first ranking vice chairman of the National People s Congress Standing Committee who briefed Kim on the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China according to the state s official news agency the Korean Central News Agency 81 A letter from Xi Jinping General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party was hand delivered during the discussion 81 On 9 March 2014 Kim Jong un was elected to a seat in the Supreme People s Assembly the country s unicameral legislature He ran unopposed but voters had the choice of voting yes or no There was a record turnout of voters and according to government officials all voted yes in his home district of Mount Paekdu 82 The Supreme People s Assembly subsequently elected him first chairman of the National Defence Commission 83 In May 2016 the Workers Party of Korea held its first congress since 1980 84 In the congress Kim became the Chairman of the WPK 85 On 29 June 2016 Kim became the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission after the State Affairs Commission replaced the National Defence Commission citation needed The office of the Supreme Commander of the armed forces was linked to this office because of the 2019 constitutional amendment 86 In January 2021 the WPK held its 8th congress in which Kim Jong un was elected General Secretary of the WPK 87 The congress also saw the WPK reassert its commitment to communism 88 Role in government According to the North Korean constitution Kim Jong un is part of a triumvirate heading the executive branch of the North Korean government along with Premier Kim Tok hun and parliament president Choe Ryong hae Kim Jong un commands the armed forces Kim Tok hun heads the government and handles domestic affairs and Choe Ryong hae handles foreign relations However under the constitution Kim Jong un is the highest ranking of the three Since 1998 the NDC chairmanship has been constitutionally defined as the highest post in the state 89 and a constitutional amendment enacted by the regime explicitly named the NDC first chairman as the supreme leader of the Democratic People s Republic of North Korea 90 However analysts are divided about how much actual power Kim has 91 92 93 Kim Jong un frequently performs symbolic acts that associate him with the personality cult of his father and grandfather 94 95 Like them Kim Jong un regularly tours the country giving on the spot guidance at various sites 96 North Korean state media often refers to him as Respected Comrade Kim Jong un 97 98 or Marshal Kim Jong un 99 100 New leadership style In July 2012 Kim Jong un showed a change in cultural policy from his father by attending a Moranbong Band concert The concert contained several elements of pop culture from the West particularly the United States Kim used this event to introduce his wife to the public an unprecedented move in North Korea 101 In 2012 Kim Jong il s personal chef Kenji Fujimoto visited North Korea and said Stores in Pyongyang were brimming with products and people in the streets looked cheerful North Korea has changed a lot since Kim Jong un assumed power All of this is because of leader Kim Jong un 102 According to analysts Kim Jong un has used his resemblance to his grandfather to harness Kim Il sung s personality cult and popular nostalgia for earlier times 103 In 2013 Kim copied his grandfather s style when he gave his first New Year s address a break from the approach of his father Kim Jong il who never made a televised address during his 17 years in power 104 He has also appeared more accessible and open than his father hugging and linking arms with young and old 103 In his public appearances he appears more active than his father or grandfather for example weeding riding a horse driving a tank riding a rollercoaster or using information technology 103 People in Pyongyang watch Kim Jong un on North Korean TV 2015 In April 2012 when a satellite launch failed the government admitted this publicly the first time it had ever done so 103 In May 2014 following the collapse of an apartment building in Pyongyang Kim Jong un was said to be very upset at the loss of life that resulted A statement issued by the country s official news agency the Korean Central News Agency used the rare expression profound consolation and apology An unnamed government official was quoted by the BBC as saying Kim Jong un had sat up all night feeling painful 105 While the height of the building and the number of casualties was not released media reports described it as a 23 story building and indicated that more than a hundred people may have died in the collapse 106 Economic policies Kim Jong un has been promoting a policy of byungjin similar to his grandfather Kim il sung s policies from the 1960s developing the national economy in parallel with the nations nuclear weapons program 107 108 109 A set of comprehensive economic measures the Socialist Corporate Responsible Management System ko were introduced in 2013 110 The measures increase the autonomy of enterprises by granting them certain rights to engage in business activities autonomously and elevate the will to labor through appropriately implementing the socialist distribution system Another priority of economic policies that year was agriculture where the pojon vegetable garden responsibility system was implemented The system reportedly achieved a major increase in output in some collective farms 110 North Korean media were describing the economy as a flexible collectivist system where enterprises were applying active and evolutionary actions to achieve economic development 111 These reports reflect Kim s general economic policy of reforming management increasing the autonomy and incentives for economic actors This set of reforms known as the May 30th measures reaffirms both socialist ownership and objective economic laws in guidance and management to improve living standards Other objectives of the measures are to increase the availability of domestically manufactured goods on markets introduction of defence innovations into the civilian sector and boost international trade 111 There has been a construction boom in Pyongyang bringing colour and creative architectural styles to the city While in the past there was a concentration on building monuments Kim Jong un s government has constructed amusement parks aquatic parks skating rinks a dolphinarium and a ski resort 112 113 Kim has been actively promoting a consumer culture including entertainment and cosmetics 103 Purges and executions Further information List of officials purged and executed by Kim Jong un As with all reporting on North Korea reports of purges and executions are difficult to verify 114 Allegations in 2013 that Kim Jong un had his ex girlfriend singer Hyon Song wol executed for violating pornography laws turned out to be false 115 116 In May 2016 analysts were surprised to find that General Ri Yong gil reported by South Korea to have been executed earlier in the year was in fact alive and well 117 In December 2013 Kim Jong un s uncle Jang Song thaek was arrested and executed for treachery 118 119 Jang is believed to have been executed by firing squad Yonhap has stated that according to multiple unnamed sources Kim Jong un has also put to death members of Jang s family to completely destroy all traces of Jang s existence through extensive executions of his family including the children and grandchildren of all close relatives Those reportedly killed in Kim s purge include Jang s sister Jang Kye sun her husband and ambassador to Cuba Jon Yong jin and Jang s nephew and ambassador to Malaysia Jang Yong chol The nephew s two sons were also said to have been killed 120 At the time of Jang s removal it was announced that the discovery and purge of the Jang group made our party and revolutionary ranks purer 121 and after his execution on 12 December 2013 state media warned that the army will never pardon all those who disobey the order of the Supreme Commander 122 O Sang hon was a deputy security minister in the Ministry of People s Security in the government of North Korea who was reportedly killed in a political purge in 2014 According to the South Korean newspaper The Chosun Ilbo O was executed by flamethrower for his role in supporting Kim Jong un s uncle Jang Song taek 123 Human rights violations See also Human rights in North Korea In January 2013 the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said that the North Korean human rights situation had not improved since Kim had taken power and called for an investigation 124 A report on the situation of human rights in North Korea in February 2013 125 by United Nations Special Rapporteur Marzuki Darusman proposed a UN commission of inquiry 126 The report of the commission of inquiry 127 was published in February 2014 and suggested Kim could possibly be made accountable for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court 128 In July 2016 the United States Department of the Treasury imposed personal sanctions on Kim Although his involvement in human rights abuses was cited as the reason 129 officials said the sanctions target the country s nuclear and missile programs 130 In June 2017 U S President Donald Trump condemned Kim Jong un s brutal regime and described Kim as a madman after the death of American student Otto Warmbier who had been imprisoned during a visit to North Korea 131 However in 2019 President Trump said that he believed Kim was not responsible for Warmbier s death 132 Alleged assassination attempts In 2012 a machine gun was discovered beneath a juniper tree in Ryugyeongwon located near a route that Kim was going to travel It was assumed this was part of an assassination attempt 133 In May 2017 the North Korean government stated that the Central Intelligence Agency CIA of the United States and the South Korean National Intelligence Service NIS hired a North Korean lumberjack who worked in Russia to assassinate Kim with a biochemical weapon that was both radioactive and nano poisonous and whose effect would have been delayed by a few months 134 North Korea said that it would seek extradition of anyone involved in the assassination attempt 135 Nuclear weapons development See also North Korea and weapons of mass destruction Model of an Unha 9 rocket on display at a floral exhibition in Pyongyang 30 August 2013 Under Kim Jong un North Korea has continued to develop nuclear weapons testing bombs in February 2013 January and September 2016 and September 2017 136 As of 2018 North Korea had tested nearly 90 missiles three times more than in the time of his father and grandfather 103 In 2012 on the 100th anniversary of Kim Il sung s birth he said the days are gone forever when our enemies could blackmail us with nuclear bombs 103 At a plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers Party held on 31 March 2013 he announced that North Korea would adopt a new strategic line on carrying out economic construction and building nuclear armed forces simultaneously 137 According to several analysts North Korea sees the nuclear arsenal as vital to deter an attack and it is unlikely that North Korea would launch a nuclear war 138 According to a RAND Corporation senior researcher Kim Jong un believes that nuclear weapons are his guarantee of regime survival 139 During the 7th Congress of the Workers Party of Korea in 2016 Kim Jong un stated that North Korea would not use nuclear weapons first unless aggressive hostile forces use nuclear weapons to invade on our sovereignty 140 However on other occasions North Korea has threatened pre emptive nuclear attacks against a US led attack 141 In December 2015 Kim stated that his family turned the DPRK into a powerful nuclear weapons state ready to detonate a self reliant A bomb and H bomb to reliably defend its sovereignty and the dignity of the nation 142 In January 2018 estimates of North Korea s nuclear arsenal ranged between 15 and 60 bombs probably including hydrogen bombs In the opinion of analysts the Hwasong 15 missile is capable of striking anywhere in the United States 136 The United Nations enacted a series of sanctions against North Korea for its nuclear program and missile tests 143 Kim officially declared North Korea a nuclear weapons state during a speech on 9 September 2022 the country s foundation day 144 Diplomacy 2018 2019 Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae in shake hands during the 2018 inter Korean Summit April 2018 Kim and U S President Donald Trump shake hands at the start of the 2018 North Korea United States Summit June 2018 Kim meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during the North Korea Russia Summit April 2019 In his 2018 New Year Speech Kim announced that he was open to dialogue with South Korea with a view to take part in the upcoming Winter Olympics in the South 145 The Seoul Pyongyang hotline was reopened after almost two years 146 North and South Korea marched together in the Olympics opening ceremony and fielded a united women s ice hockey team 147 In addition to the athletes Kim sent an unprecedented high level delegation including his sister Kim Yo jong and President of the Presidium Kim Yong nam and performers such as the Samjiyon Orchestra 148 On 5 March he had a meeting with South Korea s Chief of the National Security Office Chung Eui yong in Pyongyang 149 In March 2018 Kim visited Beijing meeting with General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping 150 151 marking his first foreign trip since assuming power 152 At the April 2018 inter Korean summit Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae in signed the Panmunjom Declaration pledging to convert the Korean Armistice Agreement into a full peace treaty formally ending the Korean War by the end of the year 153 154 155 From 7 8 May Kim made a second visit to China meeting with Xi Jinping in Dalian 156 On 26 May Kim had a second and unannounced meeting in the North Korean side of Panmunjom meeting with Moon to discuss his proposed summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore 157 158 On 10 June Kim arrived in Singapore and met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong 159 On 12 June Kim held his first summit with Trump and signed a declaration affirming a commitment to peace nuclear disarmament and the repatriation of the remains of U S war dead 160 This marked the first ever meeting between leaders of North Korea and the United States 160 In September Kim held another summit with Moon Jae in in Pyongyang Kim agreed to dismantle North Korea s nuclear weapons facilities if the United States took reciprocal action The two governments also announced that they would establish buffer zones on their borders to prevent clashes 161 In February 2019 Kim held another summit with Trump in Hanoi Vietnam which Trump cut short on the second day without an agreement The Trump administration said that the North Koreans wanted complete sanctions relief while the North Koreans said that they were only asking for partial sanctions relief 162 On 25 April 2019 Kim held his first summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok Russia 163 164 On 30 June 2019 in the Korean DMZ Kim again met with Trump shaking hands warmly and expressing hope for peace Kim and Trump then joined Moon Jae in for a brief chat 165 Talks in Stockholm began on 5 October 2019 between US and North Korean negotiating teams but broke down after one day 166 During the COVID 19 pandemic This section needs to be updated Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information May 2022 During 2020 Kim claimed success in combatting the COVID 19 pandemic in North Korea after putting the country in isolation and limiting public gatherings 167 In April 2020 a three week absence from public view led to speculation that Kim was seriously ill or dead but no clear evidence of any health problem came to light 168 169 He continued to appear in public rarely over the following months possibly because of health problems or the risk of COVID 19 170 In August it was reported that Kim had ceded a degree of authority to his sister Kim Yo jong giving her responsibility for relations with South Korea and the United States and making her his de facto second in command 171 On 5 September 2020 Kim toured the areas hit by Typhoon Maysak He also replaced the local provincial party committee chairman and ordered Pyongyang officials to lead a recovery effort 172 His ruling party also pledged harsh punishment for the city and provincial officials stating that they failed to protect the residents from the disaster 173 Kim fired Kim Song il who was chairman of the South Hamgyong Province Workers Party of Korea Committee 174 At the 8th Congress of the Workers Party of Korea held in early January 2021 Kim delivered a nine hour long report in which he admitted failures in carrying out the economic plan and lambasted leading officials shortcomings 175 He also praised the country s nuclear capability and addressed the United States as the DPRK s main enemy 176 The congress restored the operative functions of the General Secretary of the Workers Party of Korea a title previously awarded eternally to Kim Jong il in 2012 177 and elected Kim Jong un to it 178 In February 2021 state run media began referring to Kim as president in English language articles 179 In November 2021 the South Korean National Intelligence Service reported that the North Korean government has begun using the term Kim Jong un ism in an effort to establish an independent ideological system centered on Kim Analyst Ken Gause described this as Kim now ready to put his stamp firmly on the regime 180 In January 2022 a North Korean KCTV documentary 2021 A Great Victorious Year was released which appeared to address Kim s sudden weight loss and infrequent public appearances It said that Kim s body had completely withered away as he suffered for the people during 2021 completing tasks hitherto unpublicized while North Korea faced challenges and worst ever hardships 181 In May 2022 North Korea announced that its first COVID 19 outbreak had started in April In a meeting with the WPK Kim ordered all the cities and counties of the whole country to thoroughly lock down and called for the mobilization of emergency reserve medical supplies 182 In the days that followed the country s announcement hundreds of thousands of new cases of fevers were reported as well as 27 related deaths related to fever of unidentified origins among which one death was confirmed as from the Omicron variant according to state media outlet KCNA 183 Kim spoke further at a subsequent WPK meeting stating that the virus had brought great turmoil to his country and urged the party and people to remain unified and organized in their efforts to combat the virus 183 Kim went on to blame the crisis on incompetence and irresponsibility on the part of the party organizations and also cast blame on negligence including drug overdose due to lack of knowledge of treatment methods as the reason for most of the deaths since the outbreak 183 As part of the country s response to the COVID 19 outbreak Kim stated that he looked to learn from the response mounted by China 184 By the end of May North Korean state media reported the COVID 19 outbreak was controlled and improved across the country following a re evaluation by Kim and the WPK 185 Personal lifePersonality Kenji Fujimoto a Japanese chef who was Kim Jong il s personal cook described Kim Jong un as a chip off the old block a spitting image of his father in terms of face body shape and personality 186 Kim is a fan of basketball and his favorite teams include the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers 27 187 On 26 February 2013 Kim Jong un met Dennis Rodman 188 which led many reporters to speculate that Rodman was the first American that Kim had met 189 During Rodman s trip Vice magazine correspondent Ryan Duffy said that Kim was socially awkward and avoided eye contact 190 According to Cheong Seong chang of the Sejong Institute Kim Jong un has greater visible interest in the welfare of his people and engages in greater interaction with them than his father did 191 South Koreans who saw Kim at the summit in April 2018 described him as straightforward humorous and attentive 192 After meeting him Donald Trump said I learned he was a talented man I also learned he loves his country very much He added that Kim had a great personality and was very smart 193 Public image Forbes magazine ranked Kim as the 36th most powerful person in the world in 2018 the highest amongst Koreans 194 In a 2013 poll 61 7 of North Korean defectors in South Korea said that Kim Jong Un was probably supported by most of his countrymen an increase from the 55 7 approval rating for his father in a similar survey done two years earlier 195 In a poll of South Koreans conducted following the May 2018 inter Korean summit 78 of respondents said they trusted Kim compared with 10 approval a couple months prior 196 The nickname Kim Fatty the Third Chinese 金三胖 pinyin Jin San Pang began trending among Chinese users of the websites Baidu and Sina Weibo in late 2016 In response the North Korean government successfully petitioned the Chinese government to censor the nickname on all Chinese websites 197 Wealth International Business Times reported Kim to have 17 luxury palaces around North Korea a fleet of 100 mostly European luxury cars a private jet and a 100 foot 30 m yacht 198 Rodman described his trip to a private island owned by Kim Jong un It s like Hawaii Ibiza or Aruba but he s the only one that lives there 199 In 2012 Business Insider reported that there were s igns of a rise in luxury goods creeping out of North Korea since Kim Jong un took over and that his wife Ri Sol ju 리설주 was photographed holding what appeared to be an expensive Dior handbag worth almost 1 594 an average year s salary in North Korea 200 According to diplomatic sources Kim Jong un likes to drink and party all night like his father and ordered the imported sauna equipment to help him beat hangovers and fatigue 201 In 2018 Kim received delivery of two armored Mercedes Maybach S600s each valued at 500 000 through an illicit shipping network in violation of international sanctions 202 Health In 2009 reports suggested that Kim Jong un was a diabetic and suffered from hypertension 47 He is also known to smoke cigarettes 203 Kim Jong un did not appear in public for six weeks in September and October 2014 State media reported that he was suffering from an uncomfortable physical condition Previously he had been limping 204 When he reappeared he was using a walking stick 205 In September 2015 the South Korean government commented that Kim appeared to have gained 30 kg 66 lb in body fat over the previous five years reaching a total estimated body weight of 130 kg 290 lb 206 In April 2020 Kim was not seen in public for 20 days leading to rumours that he was critically ill or dead 207 208 209 In June 2021 following a one month long absence from the public eye outside observers noted that Kim had lost considerable amount of weight 210 It is speculated that he had lost 10 to 20 kg 22 to 44 lb 211 Family Main article Kim family North Korea Kim holding envelope with Chung Eui yong Kim s sister Kim Yo jong on the right is said to be very close to him On 25 July 2012 North Korean state media reported for the first time that Kim Jong un was married to Ri Sol ju 212 213 Ri who was believed to be in her early 20s had been accompanying Kim Jong un to public appearances for several weeks prior to the announcement 213 According to a South Korean analyst Kim Jong il had hastily arranged the marriage after suffering a stroke in 2008 the two married in 2009 and they had a son in 2010 214 215 Dennis Rodman after visiting in 2013 reported that they had a second newborn child a daughter named Ju ae 214 216 217 According to South Korean intelligence sources the couple is believed to have had a third child a daughter in February 2017 214 218 219 On 18 November 2022 Kim Jong un was seen reviewing key military arsenals with his daughter Ju ae 220 The two were seen together again at a gathering with missile scientists later in the same month 221 Kim is sometimes accompanied by his younger sister Kim Yo jong 10 who is said to be instrumental in creating his public image and organising public events for him 222 According to Kim Yong hyun a professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University in Seoul and others the promotion of Yo jong and others is a sign that the Kim Jong un regime has ended its co existence with the remnants of the previous Kim Jong il regime by carrying out a generational replacement in the party s key elite posts 223 On 13 February 2017 Kim Jong nam the exiled half brother of Kim Jong un was assassinated with the nerve agent VX while walking through Terminal 2 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 224 Kim Jong un is widely believed to have ordered the assassination 225 226 vteSelect a family tree of North Korea s ruling Kim family b g d Kim Bo hyon1871 1955Kim Hyong jik1894 1926Kang Pan sok1892 1932Kim Jong suk1917 1949 Kim Il sung1912 1994Kim Song ae1924 2014Kim Yong ju1920 2021Kim Young sook1947 Song Hye rim1937 2002 Kim Jong il1941 e 2011Ko Yong hui1952 2004Kim Ok1964 Kim Kyong hui1946 Jang Song thaek1946 2013Kim Pyong il1954 Kim Sol song1974 Kim Jong nam1971 2017Kim Jong chul1981 Kim Jong un1983 z Ri Sol juc 1986 Kim Yo jong1987 Kim Han sol1995 Kim Ju aec 2012 h Notes To keep the tree of manageable size it omits five out of the eight known children of Kim Il sung Other children not shown in the tree include Kim Man il Kim Kyong jin Kim Yong il Kim Hyŏn nam and Kim Yŏng il Korean names often have a variety of transliterations into English which can be confusing For example Kim Jong chul may also be written Gim Jeong cheol or Kim Jŏng ch ŏl among many other variations See Korean romanization for more information Huss Kan Frost Clay North Korea s First Family Mapping the personal and political drama of the Kim clan msnbc com Retrieved 20 January 2013 Confirms many but not all of the birth and death years See individual articles for more references Yan Holly 16 February 2017 The world s most mysterious family tree Kim Jong Un s secretive dynasty is full of drama death Design by Alberto Mier CNN Retrieved 16 February 2017 Official North Korean biographies of Kim Jong il list his birth year as 1942 The Korean calendar is based upon the Chinese zodiac which is believed to characterize one s personality The year 1942 Year of the Horse in addition to being 30 years since Kim Il Sung s birth may be viewed as a better year than others thus creating a motive to lie about a birth year Official North Korean biographies of Kim Jong un list his birth year as 1982 The Korean calendar is based upon the Chinese zodiac which is believed to characterize one s personality The year 1982 Year of the Dog in addition to being 70 years since Kim Il Sung s birth may be viewed as a better year than others thus creating a motive to lie about a birth year Birth year for Kim Ju ae is not publicly known She may have been born in either late 2012 or early 2013 Awards and honors Jubilee Medal 75 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941 1945 Russia 2020 awarded for his efforts at preserving the memory of Soviet soldiers who died during the Soviet Japanese War 1945 and were buried in North Korea 227 See also North Korea portal Politics portalKim Jong un bibliography Residences of North Korean leaders List of Kim Jong un s titles List of international trips made by Kim Jong un List of solved missing person cases Jeonju Gim Kim Notes Kim Jong un held the same position under the title of First Secretary from 11 April 2012 until 9 May 2016 and Chairman 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2012 a b North Korea leader Kim Jong Un projects new image by showing off wife Fox News Channel Associated Press 26 July 2012 Archived from the original on 26 July 2012 Retrieved 26 July 2012 a b c Meet Kim Jong Un s precious child Ju Ae and possibly his likely successor Sky News 27 November 2022 Retrieved 27 November 2022 North Korea leader Kim Jong un married to Ri Sol ju BBC 25 July 2012 Archived from the original on 7 November 2013 Retrieved 4 December 2013 Ms Ri is believed to have married Mr Kim in 2009 and given birth to a child the following year analyst Cheong Seong chang told the South Korean Korea Times newspaper Dennis Rodman lets the world know Kim Jong un has a daughter National Post Associated Press 19 March 2013 ISSN 1486 8008 Retrieved 23 March 2013 Walker Peter 9 September 2013 Dennis Rodman gives away name of Kim Jong un s daughter The Guardian London ISSN 0261 3077 Archived from the original on 9 September 2015 Keeping up with the Kims North Korea s elusive first family BBC 7 February 2018 Archived from the original on 30 April 2020 Retrieved 2 May 2020 France Presse Agence 29 August 2017 Kim Jong un has fathered his third child after wife disappeared from public eye The Telegraph Archived from the original on 7 March 2019 Retrieved 2 May 2020 Bisset Victoria 19 November 2022 Kim Jong Un s daughter seen for first time at a missile launch site The Washington Post Retrieved 21 November 2022 Kim s daughter appears again heating up succession debate AP News 26 November 2022 Retrieved 27 November 2022 Sherwell Phillip 8 January 2017 Sister helps Kim strut his stuff as key missile test looms The Times Archived from the original on 31 March 2019 Retrieved 15 February 2017 McCurry Justin 9 October 2017 Meet Kim Yo jong the sister who is the brains behind Kim Jong un s image The Guardian ISSN 0261 3077 Archived from the original on 20 June 2019 Retrieved 8 January 2018 Kim Jong nam killing VX nerve agent found on his face BBC News 24 February 2017 Archived from the original on 24 February 2017 DNA Confirms Assassination Victim Was Half Brother of Kim Jong un Malaysia Says Archived 5 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine New York Times By Russell Goldman 5 March 2017 Downloaded 6 May 2017 Kim Jong un risks vital ties with China Archived 16 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine Korea Times By Jun Ji hye 16 February 2017 Downloaded 6 May 2017 Putin honors Kim Jong Un with a WWII memorial medal DW News 5 May 2020 Retrieved 1 September 2022 Further readingBechtol Bruce E Jr 2014 North Korea and Regional Security in the Kim Jong un Era A New International Security Dilemma Palgrave Macmillan ISBN 978 1 137 40007 9 Frank Rudiger Political Economy and Ideology under Kim Jong Un in Routledge Handbook of Contemporary North Korea Routledge 2020 pp 56 74 French Paul 2016 Our Supreme Leader The Making of Kim Jong un London Zed Books ISBN 978 1 78360 900 0 Fifield Anna 2019 The Great Successor The Divinely Perfect Destiny of Brilliant Comrade Kim Jong Un PublicAffairs ISBN 978 1541742482 Hoshino Masahiro Hiraiwa Shunji 2020 Four factors in the special relationship between China and North Korea A framework for analyzing the China North Korea Relationship under Xi Jinping and Kim Jong un Journal of Contemporary East Asia Studies 9 18 28 doi 10 1080 24761028 2020 1754998 Kim Ki hun 2019 Studies on the North Korean Monetary Economy in the Kim Jong un Era Journal of Peace and Unification 9 1 109 148 doi 10 31780 jpu 2019 9 1 109 S2CID 195487251 Moreshead Paul Review of The Secret Rise and Rule of Kim Jong Un H War H Net Reviews December 2020 online Pak Jung H 2020 Becoming Kim Jong Un A Former CIA Officer s Insights into North Korea s Enigmatic Young Dictator New York Ballantine Books ISBN 978 1 9848 1972 7 Pardo Ramon Pacheco North Korea US Relations From Kim Jong Il to Kim Jong Un 2nd ed Routledge 2020 excerpt Kim Jong Un Aphorisms PDF Vol 1 Pyongyang Foreign Languages Publishing House 2016 ISBN 978 9946 0 1430 2 Archived from the original PDF on 12 April 2017 Retrieved 12 April 2017 Lee Kyo Duk Lim Soon Hee Cho Jeong Ah Song Joung Ho 2013 Study on the Power Elite of the Kim Jong Un Regime PDF Study Series 13 01 Seoul Korea Institute for National Unification ISBN 978 89 8479 708 6 Thak Song il An Su yong eds January 2014 Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un in the Year 2012 PDF Pyongyang Foreign Languages Publishing House ISBN 978 9946 0 1192 9 Archived from the original PDF on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 14 October 2015 An Chol gang ed November 2014 Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un in the Year 2013 PDF Pyongyang Foreign Languages Publishing House ISBN 978 9946 0 1192 9 Archived from the original PDF on 15 September 2015 Retrieved 14 October 2015 Thak Son il An Su yong 2017 Anecdotes of Kim Jong Un s Life Pyongyang Foreign Languages Publishing House ISBN 978 9946 0 1530 9 Thak Song il ed 2018 Son of the People PDF Translated by Mun Myong song Jong Myong jin Pyongyang Foreign Languages Publishing House ISBN 978 9946 0 1719 8 External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kim Jong un Wikinews has news related to Kim Jong un Wikiquote has quotations related to Kim Jong un Wikisource has original works by or about Kim Jong un North Korea s Young Leader on Show video report by The New York Times NSA Archive Kim Jong Il The Great Successor Official short biography Archived 7 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine at Naenara Kim Jong un s works at Publications of the DPRKParty political officesPreceded byKim Jong il General Secretary of the Workers Party of KoreaFirst Secretary 2012 2016 Chairman 2016 20212012 present IncumbentChairman of the Central Military CommissionActing 2011 20122012 presentNew office Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission2010 2012 Served alongside Ri Yong ho Succeeded byChoe Ryong haeRi Yong hoPolitical officesPreceded byKim Jong il President of the State Affairs CommissionNational Defence Commission 2012 20162012 present IncumbentMilitary officesPreceded byKim Jong il Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of North KoreaSupreme Commander of the Korean People s Army 2011 20192011 present Incumbent Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kim Jong un amp oldid 1132980598, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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