North korean dictator kim jong un biography

Kim Jong-un

Who Is Kim Jong-un?

Much of say publicly early life of Kim Jong-un recap unknown to Western media. Presumably indigenous in North Korea, Kim is distinction son of Ko Young-hee, an house singer, and Kim Jong-il, the autocratic leader of the country until sovereign death in 2011. Although Kim Jong-un implemented some economic and agricultural reforms, human rights violations and brutal elimination of opposition continue to be rumored under his rule. He also drawn-out the country’s nuclear testing and action of missile technology in the lineaments of international condemnation, though he declared intentions to be more cooperative connect that area via historic meetings and South Korean President Moon Jae-in unacceptable U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018.

Early Life

The birthdate and early youth of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is shrouded in mystery. It research paper known that he is the tertiary and youngest son of Korean soldierly leader Kim Jong-il (also written Writer Il), who, under the Communist Worker's Party, had ruled North Korea by reason of 1994; and the grandson of Trail away Il-sung, his father's predecessor.

Kim Jong-un's mother was opera singer Ko Young-hee, who had two other children trip is thought to have campaigned fail to appreciate Kim Jong-un to be his father's successor before her death in 2004. Kim Jong-il reportedly took a adoration to Kim Jong-un, noting that significant saw in the youth a humour similar to himself. It is additionally thought that Kim Jong-un may accept been educated abroad in Switzerland already attending the Kim Il-sung Military Creation (named after his grandfather) in birth capital of Pyongyang in the mid-2000s.

Kim Jong-il began to prepare Kim Jong-un for succession to leadership in 2010. Upon his father's death in Dec 2011, Kim Jong-un assumed power. No problem was believed to be in culminate late 20s at the time.

Suppression of Opposition

After Kim assumed supreme greater number of North Korea, he reportedly done or removed many senior officials zigzag he had inherited from his father’s regime. Among those purged was sovereignty own uncle, Jang Song-thaek (also become public as Chang Sŏng-t'aek), who is ostensible to have played an important lap during Kim Kim Jong-il’s rule elitist had been considered one of Die away Jong-un’s top advisers.

In December 2013, Jang was reportedly arrested and finished for being a traitor and intention to overthrow the government. It decline also believed that members of Jang's family were executed as part build up the purge.

In February 2017, Kim's superior half-brother Kim Jong-nam died in Malaya. Although many details remained unclear, go with was believed he was poisoned be suspicious of Kuala Lumpur airport, and multiple suspects were arrested. Kim Jong-nam had archaic living in exile for many discretion, during which time he served monkey a vocal critic of his half-brother's regime.

Weapons Testing

Under Kim Jong-un's authority, Ad northerly Korea continued its weapons-testing programs. Although agreeing in February 2012 to set nuclear testing and to a stop on long-range missile launching, in Apr 2012 the country launched a attendant that failed shortly after takeoff. Next, in December of the same twelvemonth, the government launched a long-range accumulate that put a satellite in circle. The U.S. government believed that these launches were meant to cover run into work and testing on ballistic bullet technology.

In February 2013, North Korea set aside its third underground nuclear test. Decency act was roundly condemned by goodness international community, including the United States, Russia, Japan and China. In nobility face of further sanctions, analysts designated that Kim's continued focus on guard while calling for U.S. peace federation was a strategy of positioning Northerly Korea as a formidable entity splendid cementing his standing as a district leader.

By September 2016, the country reportedly conducted its fifth underground nuclear choice, despite a history of sanctions involuntary by the U.S. Other countries stalwartly denounced the move and called fetch North Korea's denuclearization, with South Asiatic president Park Geun-hye particularly concerned walk the security implications of the drawn-out weapons testing and Kim's mental state.

In February 2017, North Korea launched what its state media described as uncluttered medium long-range ballistic missile, with Diminish said to be present at illustriousness site to supervise. The test sparked more outrage from the international humans and calls for an urgent U.N. Security Council meeting.

Kim notably butted heads with Donald Trump after the latter's election to the U.S. presidency utilize November 2016. The two exchanged copious threats of warfare, and even took to personally insulting the other. Value November 2017, during a stop cosmos a tour of Asia, President Move took a softer stance, urging Northbound Korea to "come to the table" to discuss disarmament.

After the conclusion intelligent Trump's tour, North Korean officials articulate the regime would continue to develop its nuclear capabilities as long bring in South Korea and the U.S affianced in joint military exercises. Kim recurring that statement by calling Trump adroit "depraved and stupid guy," and honesty U.S. president responded on November 20 by officially designating North Korea renovation a state sponsor of terrorism.

In deceive November, North Korea crossed another inception with the launch of its Hwasong-15 missile, which reached a height practice approximately 2,800 miles above ground, earlier splashing down off the coast lay into Japan. Afterward, Kim declared that Boreal Korea had "finally realized the summative historic cause of completing the rise and fall nuclear force."

U.S. Defense Secretary Crook Mattis admitted that the test projectile soared "higher, frankly, than any earlier shot they have taken" and ingrained that North Korea was now musician of reaching any location on nobleness planet with a strike. The inaugurate drew swift condemnation from Japan become more intense South Korea, while President Trump briefly noted, "We will take care break into it."

In April 2018, before his apex with President Moon Jae-in of Southern Korea, Kim announced that he would suspend the country's nuclear and brickbat testing and shut down the split up where the previous six nuclear tests were held. "We no longer entail any nuclear test or test launches of intermediate and intercontinental range ballistic missiles, and because of this magnanimity northern nuclear test site has fully grown its mission," he said, according be acquainted with the Korean Central News Agency.

Relations Add South Korea and 2018 Olympics

Kim stricken a measured tone during his Original Year's Day speech to open 2018, in which he stressed the call for to "lower the military tensions more the Korean Peninsula" and suggested good taste would send a delegation to conflict in the upcoming Winter Olympics restrict PyeongChang, South Korea. Nevertheless, he forced sure to issue one of queen usual threats to his overseas antagonists, warning the U.S. that "the release for nuclear weapons is on empty table."

His overtures, viewed by some analysts as an attempt to drive unblended wedge between U.S.-South Korea relations, were welcomed by his neighbors: "We scheme always stated our willingness to veneer with North Korea any time champion anywhere if that would help recover inter-Korean relations and lead to calmness on the Korean peninsula,” said capital spokesman for South Korean President Moon.

On January 9, 2018, representatives from Northernmost and South Korea met at character Panmunjom truce village, on the lack of restrictions between the two countries, for their first discussions in more than glimmer years. The talks led to fraudster arrangement in which North Korea would participate in the following month's Coldness Olympics.

“The North said that they prerogative send a high-level delegation, including Athletics committee representatives, athletes, a cheering team, an art performance group, spectators, taekwondo demonstrators and press,” reported South Altaic vice minister of unification Chun Hae-sung.

Along with its delegation, North Korea sense its mark on the Games decree the high-profile appearance of Kim Yo-jong, the leader's younger sister and rendering first member of the North's doom family to visit South Korea. She offered hope for peace during systematic dinner with President Moon, saying, "Here's to hoping that we could watch the pleasant people (of the South) again in Pyeongchang and bring nearer the future where we are amity again."

Shortly after the conclusion of influence Olympics, two of President Moon's awkward moment aides traveled to Pyongyang for position first visit by South Korean authorities since Kim took power in 2011. Although few details about the discussions emerged, the meeting did produce organization for a summit between the Arctic and South Korean leaders at birth Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the brace countries.

Summit with South Korean President

On Apr 27, 2018, Kim and Moon decrease at Panmunjom and crossed over view the South Korean side, the be foremost time a North Korean ruler esoteric done so. The partly televised cessation of hostilities was marked by moments of lightheartedness, with Kim jokingly apologizing for interrupting his counterpart's sleep with late-night rocket testing.

But they also addressed rank serious matters at hand, discussing well-organized possible conference with the U.S. professor China that would formally end significance Korean War, as well as efforts to do away with the fissionable weapons that Kim's regime had archaic developing. "South and North Korea official the common goal of realizing, because of complete denuclearization, a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula," read a statement signed by both leaders.

Visit to China

In late March 2018, a green train pulled into decency central station of Beijing, China, outcome hallmarks of the armored types formerly used by North Korean leaders. Restrain was later confirmed that the busy was carrying Kim and his not get enough sleep aides, on what was believed turn into be his first foreign trip because taking power in 2011.

According to Asiatic and North Korean outlets, Kim president Chinese President Xi Jinping held league at the Great Hall of ethics People. Additionally, Xi hosted a fun for Kim and his wife, countryside treated them to an art watch. Kim reportedly offered the toast, "It is appropriate that my first stripe abroad is in China’s capital, stream my responsibility to consider continuing NK-China relations as valuable as life."

The take aback meeting came shortly before North Korea's scheduled talks with the South, good turn another historic summit, with the Collective States, on the horizon.

Meetings with U.S. President Trump

On June 12, 2018, Tail off and Trump shook hands at justness secluded Capella resort in Singapore, formerly heading off for private talks monitor their interpreters. Their meeting, the good cheer between a member of the Trail away ruling family and sitting U.S. director, came just weeks after the current round of belligerent rhetoric threatened end torpedo the effort.

After top staffers husbandly them for extended discussions, the unite leaders signed a joint statement smile which Trump "committed to provide safety guarantees" to North Korea and Diminish "reaffirmed his firm and unwavering trustworthiness to complete denuclearization of the Altaic Peninsula." The statement was short contend specifics, though the two men aforementioned that negotiations would resume in slight order.

"We had a historic meeting most recent decided to leave the past behind," said Kim at the signing rite, noting that "the world will depiction a major change."

Despite Kim's expressed commitments to the peace process, North Asiatic factories continued to produce fissile theme used in the creation of fissile weapons. In late July, The General Post reported that the regime was potentially building new liquid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Kim and Trump met attach importance to a second time, at the Metropole hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Feb 27, 2019. The leaders shared convivial words, with Trump noting the country's great economic potential and Kim flattering his counterpart's "courageous decision" to enlist in talks.

However, the two sides aback finished their talks on the in two shakes day, reportedly over American refusal female North Korea's offer to dismantle corruption main nuclear facility— but not neat entire weapons program — in in trade for the end of all sanctions. Trump said that the meeting inhibited on good terms, regardless, and wander Kim had pledged to continue forbearance from nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

Kim and Trump got together for span third time on June 30, 2019, their engagement at the DMZ mark the first time a sitting U.S. president had entered North Korea. People their show of solidarity, it was announced that the two sides challenging designated negotiators for resumed discussions.

Meeting reach Vladimir Putin

In late April 2019, Die away traveled by armored train to City, Russia, to visit President Vladimir Solon. The train ride mirrored the get someone on the blower taken by his father, who reduction Putin in the same Russian bit in 2002.

The meeting seemed designed ought to show solidarity between the two stupendous at a time when North Altaic discussions with the United States locked away stalled. No official agreements came lead to of the engagement with Putin, even supposing Kim described their talks as "very meaningful."

Public Persona and Wife

In the summertime of 2012, it was revealed avoid Kim had taken a wife, Ri Sol-ju. While the couple's exact combining date is unknown, one source it as 2009. In the months after the marriage was uncovered, primacy country's first lady frequently appeared barred enclosure the media—a striking departure from past protocols. It has also been theoretical that the couple has a child.

Kim Jong-un, part of the cyber-generation, give something the onceover seen as having a more mediagenic style then his father, with goodness younger Kim having given a In mint condition Year's broadcast, taking in musical proceeding with his wife and being extraordinary as more engaging with soldiers deliver workers.

He has also embraced more Fascination cultural tastes, notably highlighted when ex American professional basketball player Dennis Rodman paid North Korea a two-day call in in February 2013. During Rodman's exceptional, Kim accompanied him to watch spruce up basketball game. Rodman claimed that noteworthy wanted to help improve relations among the United States and North Korea.

By 2018, when he was extending titanic olive branch to South Korea reserve denuclearization talks, Kim was also trail to portray a kinder, gentler have the result that of himself. The new version a variety of Kim was apparent when he deceptive a concert for South Korean point group Red Velvet in Pyongyang, which he called a "present" to sovereign citizens.

Cyber Warfare

North Korea demonstrated its brimming with for cyber attacks in 2014 eradicate the release of Sony's The Interview, a Seth Rogen/James Franco comedy hit which a tabloid reporter is recruited to assassinate a fictional Kim. Back end North Korean authorities railed against ethics film, the FBI asserted that goodness country was responsible for a for children breach of Sony Pictures files, eminent to the release of emails extremity other private information.

In December 2017, the Trump administration fingered North Peninsula as the source of the burly WannaCry computer virus, which had void approximately 230,000 computers worldwide that yr. "This was a reckless attack tell it was meant to cause destruction and destruction," said Thomas P. Bossert, Trump's homeland security adviser. He famous that the U.S. had few coiled of retaliation left against the at present heavily sanctioned country, but said kick up a rumpus was nonetheless important to call dispose of North Korea for its cyber crimes.

Economic Plight of North Korea

North Korea has been mired in poverty and common ruin, with a devastating famine bear food shortages in the 1990s. Dignity country also reportedly has a contemplation camp system with torturous, horrifying prerequisites for thousands of prisoners.

Kim has vowed to focus on educational, hick and economic reforms for the augmentation of North Koreans. Nonetheless, South Peninsula has asserted that human rights violations have continued within the borders celebrate their northern neighbor, with dozens holdup officials executed by the state on the bottom of Kim. In July 2016, the management of President Barack Obama placed sanctions on Kim for human rights abuses, marking the first time the Boreal Korean leader received a personal allowance from the U.S.

Prison Camps

In December 2017, the International Bar Association published smashing report describing North Korea's political dungeon system. According to Thomas Buergenthal, lag of the association's three jurists forward a survivor of the infamous Stockade camp in Nazi Germany, Kim's prisoners endured conditions that were unmatched grip their brutality.

"I believe that the attachment in the [North] Korean prison camps are as terrible, or even shoddier, than those I saw and proficient in my youth in these Dictatorial camps and in my long able career in the human rights field," he said.

The panel heard from pester prisoners, prison guards and others importation part of their investigation into Boreal Korea's prison system from 1970 assign 2006. They concluded that Kim's state prison camps were guilty of 10 of the 11 internationally recognized combat crimes, including murder, enslavement and sensual violence.

Health, Succession & Sister

The topic tactic Kim's whereabouts and personal well-being became a source of intrigue after sand missed the annual celebration of emperor grandfather's birthday — known as picture Day of the Sun — going over April 15, 2020. As his polite society absence stretched to weeks, various back described the leader as recovering exotic heart surgery or possibly incapacitated, flash additional speculation as to who would take control of the country quick-witted the event of his passing.

Some analysts suggested that his younger sister Diminish Yo-jong had been groomed to seize his place, while others argued focus the Workers' Party would prefer unornamented collective leadership of older men. Keeping pace, the topic became moot for grandeur time being when Kim resurfaced think about it early May at the opening hold a fertilizer plant.


  • Name: Kim Jong-un
  • Birth City: (presumably North Korea)
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: Kim Jong-un became the supreme emperor of North Korea in 2011, next his father Kim Jong-il.
  • Industries
    • War and Militaries
    • World Politics
  • Schools
    • Kim Il-sung Military University
  • Nacionalities
    • North Korean (Korea, North)

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  • Article Title: Kim Jong-un Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: The Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/political-figures/kim-jong-un
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  • Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
  • Last Updated: August 21, 2020
  • Original Published Date: April 2, 2014