Kim Jong Un

Kim Jong Un
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Name	Kim Jong Un
Native name	김정은
Office	Supreme Leader of North Korea
Term start	17 December 2011
Predecessor	Kim Jong Il
Party	Workers' Party of Korea
Birth date	8 January 1982 (claimed)
Birth place	Pyongyang, North Korea
Spouse	Ri Sol-ju
Children	Kim Ju-ae (reported)
Education	Kim Il-sung University, Kim Il-sung Military University
Allegiance	North Korea
Branch	Korean People's Army
Serviceyears	2010–present
Rank	Marshal of the Republic

Kim Jong Un is the supreme leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the head of its ruling party, the Workers' Party of Korea. He succeeded his father, Kim Jong Il, in December 2011, becoming the third member of the Kim dynasty to rule the country founded by his grandfather, Kim Il-sung. His rule has been characterized by a dual-track policy of accelerating the development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles alongside efforts to develop the domestic economy, while maintaining strict control over North Korean society through the state's pervasive songun policy and ideological apparatus.

Early life and background

Official biographies from Pyongyang claim he was born on 8 January 1982, though some external sources suggest alternative dates. He is the third son of the late leader Kim Jong Il and his consort, Ko Yong-hui, a former dancer. Much of his early life and education were shrouded in secrecy, but it is believed he attended the International School of Berne in Gümligen, Switzerland, under a pseudonym in the 1990s. He later studied at Kim Il-sung University and the Kim Il-sung Military University, institutions central to the North Korean elite. His grooming for leadership became apparent in the latter years of his father's rule, as he began appearing at official events alongside senior military figures like Ri Yong-ho and Kim Jong-gak.

Rise to power

His formal introduction to the North Korean public occurred in September 2010, when he was appointed a four-star general and given senior positions in the Workers' Party of Korea, despite having no prior military experience. Following the death of Kim Jong Il in December 2011, the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea officially designated him as the "great successor." He rapidly consolidated power, assuming the titles of First Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and First Chairman of the National Defence Commission. In a series of purges, he removed several high-profile figures perceived as threats, including his uncle, Jang Song-thaek, who was executed in 2013, and later, senior military officials such as Hyon Yong-chol.

Leadership and policies

His leadership has emphasized the parallel development of the economy and nuclear weapons, a policy known as *byungjin*. Under this doctrine, the country has conducted multiple nuclear tests at the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site and tested a range of ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles like the Hwasong-14. Domestically, he has promoted major construction projects in Pyongyang, such as the Ryomyong Street development, and allowed for limited market activity. The state's control is enforced by agencies like the Ministry of State Security and the Korean People's Army, with a continued focus on the ideological tenets of *juche* and unwavering loyalty to the Paektu bloodline.

Personal life and public image

His personal life is tightly controlled by the state's propaganda apparatus. He is married to Ri Sol-ju, a former singer, and is reported to have children, including a daughter named Kim Ju-ae who has appeared at public events. State media portrays him as a modern, approachable leader, often shown interacting with soldiers, scientists, and children, while also engaging in activities like guiding weapons tests and visiting sites like Mount Paektu. This carefully managed image contrasts with reports from defectors and organizations like the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in North Korea, which detail widespread human rights abuses.

Foreign relations and international affairs

His tenure has seen dramatic swings in North Korea's foreign policy, from intense confrontation to unprecedented diplomacy. Major events include a series of escalating tensions with the United States during the administrations of Barack Obama and Donald Trump, marked by mutual threats and the imposition of stringent sanctions by the United Nations Security Council. In a historic shift, he engaged in summits with leaders of South Korea, including Moon Jae-in at Panmunjom, and with Donald Trump in Singapore and Hanoi. Relations with traditional allies like China and Russia have been maintained, with meetings held with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, while the country's nuclear and missile programs remain the central issue in negotiations with powers like Japan and the European Union.

Category:Kim dynasty Category:North Korean politicians Category:Supreme Leaders of North Korea