Kim Jong-un, born on January 8, 1983, is a military leader and holds the prestigious position of General Secretary in North Korea. He was born in the capital city, Pyongyang. Currently, he is not only the President of the Labor Party of Korea but also the esteemed supreme leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), which is more commonly known as North Korea. When it comes to Kim Jong-un’s early life, there is a lack of comprehensive information available. However, the details that have been revealed come from individuals who have defected from North Korea and those who have had personal connections with him. Interestingly, his brother Kim Jong-Chul faced a similar destiny and decided to relocate to Switzerland during the same period.
There is a general agreement regarding his background details, specifically his childhood. Kim Jong-Un’s mother, Ko Young-Hee, and father, Kim Jong-il, who held a powerful position within the regime, had quite the significant connection. But there is a twist: Ko Young-Hee was the genuine love of Kim Jong-il. During his teenage years, Jong-Un attended school in Switzerland, where he spent his high school and university days. It was during this period that he developed a deep admiration for the legendary Michael Jordan and the action-packed movies featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Jackie Chan, and James Bond. On top of that, he was a devoted fan of the well-known German band, Modern Talking.
This guy started gaining fame when he was chosen to take over his father’s role, even though it was initially intended for his half-brother Kim Jong-Nam. However, Kim Jong-Nam lost this chance when he was caught attempting to enter the country using a fake passport. The first time people heard about Kim Jong-Un in a controversial context was when the BBC alleged that he had been listed as a candidate in the elections for the Supreme People’s Assembly on March 8, 2009. However, there has been no concrete proof of this claim, as subsequent reports indicated that he did not actually serve as a legislator in that assembly.
Afterwards, he was elevated to an intermediate position within the PTC’s Central Military Committee, which serves as the army’s ideological education body. Starting from 2009, he commenced his preparations to succeed his father as the leader of the Korean Labor Party and the de facto ruler of the nation. His father even requested embassy personnel in North Korea to pledge their loyalty to his son. However, despite his father’s ailment, which was widely believed to be cancer, his passing caught everyone off guard, leaving Kim Jong-un to swiftly assume responsibility in an international landscape that many believe he was ill-equipped to handle.
When he was part of the Guidance and Guidance Department, a crucial entity in the Workers’ Party of Korea, he made public appearances alongside his father. As he ascended to power, he became notable for upholding the principles of Stalinism, solidifying his image as the final stronghold of this ideology. There exists a song that serves as a quasi-national anthem, extolling the figure of Kim Jong-Un, much like a composition made by his father and grandfather. Towards the end of 2009, Kim undertook a covert trip to China, with the aim of engaging in discussions with Chinese leaders. However, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs vehemently refuted any reports of such a visit.
In March 2013, Kim Jong-Un delivered a significant address at the bustling Great Plaza of Pyongyang. During this speech, he made a declaration of a “State of war” towards South Korea, heightening the alarming possibility of a nuclear conflict. The tensions escalated as B-2 Spirit bombers from the United States flew over the Korean peninsula amidst the crisis. A year later, Kim Jong-Un was once again elected as the President of the National Defense Commission of North Korea by the esteemed Supreme People’s Assembly.
In his time as a leader, Kim Jong-Un has been a strong advocate for organizations fighting against bureaucracy and abuse of power. He has placed great importance on fostering diverse economic relationships with other nations. In discussing the potential reunification of Korea, he has made it clear that if peaceful methods fail, he is prepared to consider confrontation and war as a last resort. However, this viewpoint has been met with criticism, particularly from the United States, resulting in numerous statements being made against him.