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Kim Jong-un is the current leader of North Korea, assuming power in 2011 after the death of his father, Kim Jong-il. While there are many aspects of Kim Jong-un's life that remain shrouded in secrecy due to the closed nature of the North Korean regime, here's a summary of the information available:
Early Life and Education
- Kim Jong-un was born on January 8, 1983 (exact year is uncertain), in Pyongyang, North Korea.
- He is the son of Kim Jong-il, the former leader of North Korea, and Ko Yong-hui, an opera singer.
- His birth name is believed to be Kim Jong-woon, but he later adopted the name Kim Jong-un for political reasons.
- He was the youngest of three siblings, with an older brother, Kim Jong-chul, and an older half-brother, Kim Jong-nam.
Rise to Power
- Kim Jong-un's ascent to power began in 2009 when he was identified as the likely successor to his father, Kim Jong-il.
- He was appointed to key positions in the North Korean government and military, gaining experience and consolidating his power.
Leadership as Supreme Leader
- Following the death of Kim Jong-il in December 2011, Kim Jong-un officially assumed the position of Supreme Leader of North Korea.
- Under his leadership, he has continued his father's policy of emphasizing the military and nuclear capabilities of North Korea.
- Kim Jong-un has pursued a policy of "byungjin," which aims to simultaneously develop the country's economy and nuclear weapons program.
Political and International Relations
- Kim Jong-un's rule has been marked by tensions with the international community, particularly regarding North Korea's nuclear weapons program and human rights record.
- He has conducted multiple missile tests and nuclear weapons tests, leading to increased international sanctions against North Korea.
- Kim Jong-un has engaged in diplomatic efforts as well, holding summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in 2018 and meeting with other world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Personal Life
- Kim Jong-un's personal life is highly secretive, and little is known about his personal relationships and family.
- He is believed to be married to Ri Sol-ju, with whom he has at least one child, although details remain scarce.
How did the Kim family come into power in North Korea?
The Kim family came into power in North Korea through a combination of political maneuvering, alliances, and the consolidation of authority. Here's a more detailed account of how the Kim family established and maintained their rule in North Korea:
Kim Il-sung's Rise to Power
- Kim Il-sung played a prominent role in the Korean independence movement against Japanese colonial rule during the early 20th century.
- After World War II and the division of Korea, the Soviet Union supported Kim Il-sung's political ambitions and helped establish the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the northern part of the country in 1948.
- Kim Il-sung assumed the position of Premier and later became the country's first President, effectively establishing the Kim dynasty.
Cult of Personality and Consolidation of Authority
- Kim Il-sung developed a cult of personality, portraying himself as the "Great Leader" and the primary architect of North Korea's ideology, known as Juche.
- He consolidated his authority by centralizing power in the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and building a loyal support base within the military and government.
- Through purges, propaganda, and suppression of dissent, Kim Il-sung eliminated potential rivals and established firm control over the country.
Succession Planning
- Kim Il-sung groomed his son, Kim Jong-il, as his successor, positioning him in key roles within the party and the military.
- In the 1980s, a personality cult around Kim Jong-il began to develop, with propaganda promoting him as the "Dear Leader" and his readiness for leadership.
- Kim Jong-il assumed leadership after his father's death in 1994, maintaining the family's grip on power.
Dynastic Succession
- Kim Jong-il further solidified the Kim family's rule by establishing the principle of hereditary succession.
- He promoted his son, Kim Jong-un, as his successor and began the process of grooming him for leadership, bestowing titles and positions upon him.
- After Kim Jong-il's death in 2011, Kim Jong-un assumed power at a young age, continuing the family's rule into the third generation.
The Kim family's control over North Korea relies heavily on a combination of political repression, state propaganda, and the consolidation of power within the ruling party and military. The regime's totalitarian system and tight grip on information have contributed to the family's continued rule for multiple generations.
It's important to note that the information available about Kim Jong-un is limited and subject to the propaganda and controlled narratives of the North Korean regime.