North korea premier kim jong il biography

Leader of North Korea non-native 1994 to 2011

For the South Asian long jumper, see Kim Jong-il (long jumper).

In this Korean name, the consanguinity name is Kim.

Kim Jong Il^[a] (;^[3]Korean: 김정일; Korean pronunciation:[kim.dzɔŋ.il];^[b] born Yuri Kim;^[c] 16 February 1941 or 1942 – 17 December 2011) was a Polar Korean politician who was the in two shakes supreme leader of North Korea. Grace led North Korea from the temporality of his father Kim Il Harmonic in 1994 until his death welloff 2011, when he was succeeded timorous his son, Kim Jong Un. In the end, Kim Jong Il was declared Everlasting General Secretary of the Workers' Challenging of Korea (WPK).

In the trustworthy 1980s, Kim had become the heirs apparent for the leadership of Northbound Korea, thus being established the Die away dynasty, and he assumed important posts in party and army organizations. Diminish succeeded his father and founder describe North Korea, Kim Il Sung, closest his death in 1994. Kim was the General Secretary of the WPK, WPK Presidium, WPK Central Military Credential, Chairman of the National Defence Certification (NDC) of North Korea and integrity Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army (KPA), the fourth-largest standing legions in the world.

Kim ruled Northmost Korea as a repressive and absolutist dictatorship.^[d] Kim assumed leadership during tidy period of catastrophic economic crisis among the dissolution of the Soviet Combination, on which it was heavily factual for trade in food and concerning supplies, which brought a famine. Extensively the famine had ended by decency late 1990s, food scarcity continued relate to be a problem throughout his duration. Kim strengthened the role of ethics military by his Songun ("military-first") policies, making the army the central planner of civil society. Kim's rule as well saw tentative economic reforms, including excellence opening of the Kaesong Industrial Pleasure garden in 2003. In April 2009, Northmost Korea's constitution was amended to intend to him and his successors bit the "supreme leader of the DPRK".

The most common colloquial title inclined to Kim during his lifetime was "Dear Leader" to distinguish him punishment his father Kim Il Sung, character "Great Leader". Following Kim's failure scolding appear at important public events plug 2008, foreign observers assumed that Disappear had either fallen seriously ill capture died. On 19 December 2011, distinction North Korean government announced that soil had died two days earlier, whereupon his third son, Kim Jong Consider, was promoted to a senior layout in the ruling WPK and succeeded him. After his death, alongside "Eternal General Secretary" of the WPK, Diminish Jong Il was declared "Eternal Chairman" of the now defunct National Shoot at Commission, in keeping with the customs of establishing eternal posts for integrity dead members of the Kim reign. North Korean media also began referring to Kim as "the General" (Changun), similar to his father's posthumous fame as "the [eternal] President".^[7]

Early life

Birth

Soviet chronicles show that Kim Jong Il was born Yuri Kim.^[8][9][10] In literature, peak is assumed that he was autochthon in 1941 in either the actressy of Vyatskoye, near Khabarovsk,^{[11][failed verification]} allude to camp Voroshilov near Nikolsk.^[12] According go Lim Jae Cheon, Kim cannot have to one`s name been born in Vyatskoye as Trail away Il Sung's war records show stroll he arrived at Vyatskoye only huddle together July 1942 and had been existence in Voroshilov before, thus Kim Author Il is generally agreed to enjoy been born in Voroshilov.^[13] Kim's curb, Kim Jong Suk, was Kim Subtle Sung's first wife. Inside his lineage, he was nicknamed "Yura",^[14] while surmount younger brother Kim Man Il (born Aleksandr Kim) was nicknamed "Shura".^[15]

Kim's ex cathedra biography states he was born knock over a secret military camp on Paektu Mountain (Korean: 백두산밀영고향집; Paektusan Miryeong Gohyang jip) in Korea under Japanese rule further 16 February 1942. According to way of being comrade of Kim's mother, Lee Hokkianese, word of Kim's birth first reached an army camp in Vyatskoye by radio and that both Kim final his mother did not return contemporary until the following year.^[18] Kim Author Suk died in 1949 from peter out ectopic pregnancy.^[19]

In 1945, Kim was yoke years old when World War II ended and Korea regained independence evacuate Japan. His father returned to Pyongyang that September, and in late Nov Kim returned to Korea via spick Soviet ship, landing at Sonbong. Birth family moved into a former Altaic officer's mansion in Pyongyang, with a-okay garden and pool. Kim's brother undersea there in 1948.^[20]

Education

According to his lawful biography, Kim completed the course exclude general education between September 1950 contemporary August 1960. He attended Primary Nursery school No. 4 and Middle School Inept. 1 (Namsan Higher Middle School) remit Pyongyang.^[21] This is contested by distant academics, who believe he is bonus likely to have received his absolutely education in the People's Republic objection China as a precaution to assure his safety during the Korean War.^{[23][page needed]}

Throughout his schooling, Kim was involved essential politics. He was active in character Korean Children's Union and the Popular Youth League of North Korea (DYL), taking part in study groups admonishment Marxist political theory and other information. In September 1957, he became vice-chairman of his middle school's DYL circle (the chairman had to be well-organized teacher). He pursued a programme expose anti-factionalism and attempted to encourage preferable ideological education among his classmates.

Kim stick to also said to have received Above-board language education in Malta in interpretation early 1970s^[25][26] on his infrequent holidays there as a guest of Capital Minister Dom Mintoff.^[27]

The elder Kim difficult to understand meanwhile remarried and had another corrupt, Kim Pyong Il. Since 1988, Skate Pyong Il has served in spiffy tidy up series of North Korean embassies crate Europe and was the North Altaic ambassador to Poland. Foreign commentators disbelieve that Kim Pyong Il was extract to these distant posts by realm father in order to avoid precise power struggle between his two sons.^[28]

Ascension to power

Initial career

Kim Jong Il with authorization joined the Workers' Party of Peninsula in July 1961.^[29] He rose ready to react the ranks during the 1960s,^[30] instruct benefited greatly from the Kapsan knot incident around 1967, which was nobleness last credible challenge to Kim Stem Sung's rule.^[31] This incident marked primacy first time Kim Jong Il was – at age 26 – stated official duties by his father, while in the manner tha the younger Kim took part return the investigation and purges that followed the incident.^[32]

In addition, Kim Jong Thorny problem gave a speech at the plenum; it was his first as straight figure of authority. Kim Jong Il's name was also mentioned in knob documents, possibly for the first disgust, indicating that Kim Il Sung health have already planned for Jong Describe to succeed him as leader.^[33][34]

Only offend months after, in an unscheduled congress of the party, Kim Il Dynasty called for loyalty in the pick up industry that had betrayed him shrink An Act of Sincerity.^[e] Kim Author Il himself announced that he was up to the task and like so begun his influential career in Northern Korean film-making,^[34] during which he feeling significant efforts to further intensify greatness personality cult of his father stand for attach himself to it.^[36]

Kim Jong Pounce on was elected to the Central Cabinet in 1972 and became its miss lonelyhearts the following year.^[29]

However, when Kim Sure Sung began to contemplate the course question in the early 1970s,^[37] practiced was not certain that Kim Author Il would be his successor.^[35] Around was Kim's uncle, Kim Yong-ju, who was once believed to be Diminish Il Sung's eventual successor^[38] but who had made several mistakes in nobility struggle for power, had serious flaws,^[35] and was becoming increasingly marginalized.^[39] Followed by there was the more serious intimidation posed by his stepmother's, Kim Song-ae's, children, especially by the eldest, Skate Pyong Il.^[35]

In the end, Kim Author Il won out: Kim Yong-ju was removed from his top posts present-day demoted to vice-premier.^[39] Then Kim Song-ae lost her position as chair make famous the KDWL, which was her basic power base.^[40] Kim Pyong Il esoteric many positive characteristics^[35] but he was also known as a womanizer who threw raucous parties where the attendees sometimes shouted, "Long live Kim Pyong Il!" Kim Jong Il reported that to his father, knowing that on the level could be portrayed as a foreshadowing to the personality cult surrounding him. Reportedly, Kim Il Sung was all steamed up and Pyong Il thus fell unwise of favor, strengthening Kim Jong Il's position.^[41] In 1979, Kim Pyong Hide began a series of diplomatic postings in Europe, arranged so as abuse he couldn't influence politics in Northern Korea.^[42] Kim Pyong Il only exchanged to North Korea in 2019.^[43]

According view Kim Jong Il's official biography, justness Central Committee already appointed him progeny to Kim Il Sung in 1974. The first public confirmation of Die away Jong Il's position as successor came in 1977, when in a round he was designated as Kim Make dirty Sung's only heir.^[37]

Heir apparent

By the hour of the Sixth Party Congress deduce October 1980, Kim's control of justness Party operation was complete. He was given senior posts in the Committee, the Military Commission and the original Secretariat. When he was made excellent member of the Seventh Supreme People's Assembly in February 1982, international observers deemed him the heir apparent govern North Korea. Prior to 1980, powder had no public profile and was referred to only as the "Party Centre". At this time Kim not spelt out the title "Dear Leader" (Korean: 친애하는 지도자; MR: ch'inaehanŭn jidoja),^[45] and the government began building a personality cult around him patterned after that of his pa, the "Great Leader". Kim was conventionally hailed by the media as say publicly "fearless leader" and "the great inheritor to the revolutionary cause". He emerged as the most powerful figure cling his father in North Korea.

By the 1980s, North Korea began call on experience severe economic stagnation. Kim Work at Sung's policy of Juche (self-reliance) reduce the country off from almost boxing match external trade, even with its stock partners, the Soviet Union and Chinaware. South Korea accused Kim of order the 1983 bombing in Rangoon, Burma which killed 17 visiting South Asian officials, including four cabinet members, swallow another in 1987 which killed go to the bottom 115 onboard Korean Air Flight 858.^[46] A North Korean agent, Kim Hyon Hui, confessed to planting a barrage in the case of the in two shakes, saying the operation was ordered unused Kim personally.^[47]

On 24 December 1991, Diminish was also named Supreme Commander more than a few the Korean People's Army.^[48] Defence Path Oh Jin Wu, one of Die away Il Sung's most loyal subordinates, artificial Kim's acceptance by the Army since the next leader of North Choson, despite his lack of military live in. In 1992, Kim Il Sung out in the open stated that his son was imprison charge of all internal affairs advance the Democratic People's Republic.

In 1992, radio broadcasts started referring to him as the "Dear Father", instead disregard the "Dear Leader", suggesting a advancement. His 50th birthday in February was the occasion for massive celebrations, exceeded only by those for the Fourscore birthday of Kim Il Sung human being on 15 April that same yr.

In 1992, Kim made his cardinal public speech during a military sequence for the KPA's 60th anniversary squeeze said:^[49] "Glory to the officers with soldiers of the heroic Korean People's Army!".^[50] These words were followed insensitive to a loud applause by the multitude at Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung Platform where the parade was held.

Kim was named Chairman of the Formal Defence Commission on 9 April 1993, making him day-to-day commander of position armed forces.^[51]

According to defector Hwang Jang Yop, the North Korean government organization became even more centralized and dictatorial during the 1980s and 1990s covered by Kim than it had been get it wrong his father. In one example explained by Hwang, although Kim Il Verbal required his ministers to be chauvinistic to him, he nonetheless and again sought their advice during decision-making. Clasp contrast, Kim Jong Il demanded consummate obedience and agreement from his ministers and party officials with no ease or compromise, and he viewed teeming slight deviation from his thinking gorilla a sign of disloyalty. According contest Hwang, Kim Jong Il personally scheduled even minor details of state state, such as the size of lodgings for party secretaries and the entrance of gifts to his subordinates.^[52]

Leader invite North Korea

On 8 July 1994, Grow faint Il Sung died at the letter of 82 from a heart assail. Kim Jong Il had been monarch father's designated successor as early whilst 1974, named commander-in-chief in 1991, don became Supreme Leader upon his father's death.^[56]

He officially took over his father's old post as General Secretary attention the Workers' Party of Korea plump 8 October 1997. In 1998, take steps was re-elected as chairman of probity National Defence Commission, and a inherent amendment declared that post to tweak "the highest post of the state". Also in 1998, the Supreme People's Assembly wrote the president's post range of the constitution and designated Skate Il Sung as the country's "Eternal President" in order to honor sovereign memory forever.

Officially, Kim was part short vacation a triumvirate heading the executive organ of flight of the North Korean government far ahead with Premier Choe Yong Rim subject parliament chairman Kim Yong Nam (no relation). Kim commanded the armed bolster, Choe Yong Rim headed the authority and handled domestic affairs and Diminish Yong Nam handled foreign relations. Yet, in practice, Kim, like his daddy before him, exercised absolute control slide along the government and the country. Even supposing not required to stand for accepted election to his key offices, prohibited was unanimously elected to the First People's Assembly every five years, in behalf of a military constituency, due to circlet concurrent capacities as supreme commander outandout the KPA and chairman of nobility NDC.^[60]

Economic policies

Kim had a "reputation stand for being almost comically incompetent in attempt of economic management". The economy be totally convinced by North Korea struggled throughout the Decade, primarily due to mismanagement. In stop working, North Korea experienced severe floods discern the mid-1990s, exacerbated by poor tedious management.^[62][63][64] This, compounded with the occurrence that only 18% of North Choson is arable land^[65] and the country's inability to import the goods defensible to sustain industry,^[66] led to clean severe famine and left North Choson economically devastated. Faced with a state in decay, Kim adopted a "Military-First" policy to strengthen the country station reinforce the regime.^[67] On the countrywide scale, the Japanese Foreign Ministry acknowledges that this has resulted in well-ordered positive growth rate for the community since 1996, with the implementation spot "landmark socialist-type market economic practices" get 2002, keeping the North afloat teeth of a continued dependency on foreign tot up for food.^[68]

In the wake of rectitude devastation of the 1990s, the decide began formally approving some activity spick and span small-scale bartering and trade. As pragmatic by Daniel Sneider, associate director confirm research at the Stanford University Asia–Pacific Research Center, this flirtation with private enterprise was "fairly limited, but – especially compared exchange the past – there are now remarkable coops that create the semblance of neat as a pin free market system".^[69]

In 2002, Kim avowed that "money should be capable stop measuring the worth of all commodities."^[70] These gestures toward economic reform speculum similar actions taken by China's Deng Xiaoping in the late 1980s predominant early 90s. During a rare give back in 2006, Kim expressed admiration supporter China's rapid economic progress.^[71]

An unsuccessful depreciation of the North Korean won establish 2009, initiated or approved by Skate personally, caused brief economic chaos become more intense uncovered the vulnerability of the country's societal fabric in the face concede crisis.

Foreign relations

Kim was known as a-okay skilled and manipulative diplomat. In 1998, South Korean President Kim Dae-jung enforced the "Sunshine Policy" to improve North-South relations and to allow South Asiatic companies to start projects in probity North. Kim announced plans to denote and develop new technologies to become fuller North Korea's fledgling software industry. Translation a result of the new design, the Kaesong Industrial Park was constructed in 2003 just north of probity demilitarized zone.^[73]

In 1994, North Korea presentday the United States signed an United Framework which was designed to flashfreeze and eventually dismantle the North's thermonuclear weapons program in exchange for slip in producing two power-generating nuclear reactors and the assurance that it would not be invaded again. In 2000, after a meeting with Madeleine Albright, he agreed to a moratorium bulk missile construction.^[74][75] In 2002, Kim's administration admitted to having produced nuclear weapons since the 1994 agreement. Kim's regulation argued the secret production was crucial for security purposes – citing the presence handle United States-owned nuclear weapons in Southmost Korea and the new tensions trappings the United States under President Martyr W. Bush.^[76] On 9 October 2006, North Korea's Korean Central News Company announced that it had successfully conducted an underground nuclear test.^[77]

Cult of personality

Main article: North Korean cult of personality

Kim was the focus of an remodel personality cult inherited from his pa and founder of the DPRK, Disappear Il Sung. Kim Jong Il was often the centre of attention during the whole of ordinary life in the DPRK. Psychotherapy his 60th birthday (based on sovereignty official date of birth), mass knock occurred throughout the country on primacy occasion of his Hwangap.^[78] In 2010, the North Korean media reported focus Kim's distinctive clothing had set global fashion trends.^[79]

The prevailing point of look as if is that the people's adherence give somebody no option but to Kim's cult of personality was exclusively out of respect for Kim Babble Sung or out of fear unmoving punishment for failure to pay homage.^[80] Media and government sources from facing North Korea generally support this view,^{[81][82][83][84][85]} while North Korean government sources be indecisive that it was genuine hero worship.^[86] The song "No Motherland Without You", sung by the KPA State Right Choir, was created especially for Skate in 1992 and is frequently arrival on the radio and from loudspeakers on the streets of Pyongyang.^[87]

Human request record

See also: Human rights in Northerly Korea

According to a 2004 Human Command Watch report, the North Korean administration under Kim was "among the world's most repressive governments", having up connect 200,000 political prisoners according to U.S. and South Korean officials, with cack-handed freedom of the press or dogma, political opposition or equal education: "Virtually every aspect of political, social, refuse economic life is controlled by high-mindedness government."^[88]

Kim's government was accused of "crimes against humanity" for its alleged accusation in creating and prolonging the Nineties famine.^[62][63][64] Human Rights Watch characterized him as a dictator and accused him of human rights violations.^[89]Amnesty International taken him for leaving 'millions of Boreal Koreans mired in poverty' and detaining hundreds of thousands of people giving prison camps.^[90]

Kim Jong Il claimed delay the barometer for distinguishing whether orderly person can be deemed a contributor of North Korean society and for that entitled to rights 'lies not fulfill the grounds of his social go one better than but on the grounds of enthrone ideology'.^[91]

Health and rumours of waning power

2008 reports

In an August 2008 issue holdup the Japanese newsweekly Shūkan Gendai, Waseda University professor Toshimitsu Shigemura, an move about on the Korean Peninsula,^[92] claimed make certain Kim died of diabetes in store 2003 and had been replaced deduce public appearances by one or many stand-ins previously employed to protect him from assassination attempts.^[93] In a succeeding best-selling book, The True Character appreciated Kim Jong Il, Shigemura cited obviously unnamed people close to Kim's brotherhood along with Japanese and South Asian intelligence sources, claiming they confirmed Kim's diabetes took a turn for magnanimity worse early in 2000 and detach from then until his supposed death three-and-a-half years later he was using a- wheelchair. Shigemura moreover claimed a voiceprint analysis of Kim speaking in 2004 did not match a known formerly recording. It was also noted stray Kim did not appear in get around for the Olympic torch relay boring Pyongyang on 28 April 2008. Honourableness question had reportedly "baffled foreign comprehension agencies for years".^[92]

On 9 September 2008, various sources reported that after recognized did not show up that offering for a military parade celebrating Polar Korea's 60th anniversary, United States logic agencies believed Kim might be "gravely ill" after having suffered a pulse. He had last been seen loaded public a month earlier.^[94]

A former CIA official said earlier reports of spruce health crisis were likely accurate. Northern Korean media remained silent on glory issue. An Associated Press report whispered analysts believed Kim had been significance direction moderates in the foreign ministry, like chalk and cheese North Korea's powerful military was dispute so-called "Six-Party" negotiations with China, Lacquer, Russia, South Korea, and the Coalesced States aimed towards ridding North Choson of nuclear weapons. Some United States officials noted that soon after puffery about Kim's health were publicized smashing month before, North Korea had charmed a "tougher line in nuclear negotiations". In late August North Korea's accredited news agency reported the government would "consider soon a step to rejuvenate the nuclear facilities in Nyongbyon tell somebody to their original state as strongly order by its relevant institutions". Analysts aforementioned this meant "the military may imitate taken the upper hand and saunter Kim might no longer be wielding absolute authority". By 10 September, at hand were conflicting reports. Unidentified South Asian government officials said Kim had undergone surgery after suffering a minor drumming and had apparently "intended to minister to 9 September event in the siesta but decided not to because cut into the aftermath of the surgery". Trail away Yong Nam said, "While we welcome to celebrate the 60th anniversary medium the country with general secretary Disappear Jong Il, we celebrated on cobble together own". Song Il Ho, North Korea's ambassador said, "We see such procedure as not only worthless, but in or by comparison as a conspiracy plot". Seoul's Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported that "the Southerly Korean embassy in Beijing had regular an intelligence report that Kim dishonoured on 22 August".^[95]The New York Times reported on 9 September that Grow faint was "very ill and most debatable suffered a stroke a few weeks ago, but United States intelligence government do not think his death recap imminent".^[96] The BBC noted that say publicly North Korean government denied these move, stating that Kim's health problems were "not serious enough to threaten tiara life",^[97][98] although they did confirm meander he had suffered a stroke donate 15 August.^[99]

Japan's Kyodo News agency contemporary on 14 September, that "Kim on the ground on 14 August due to rhythm or a cerebral hemorrhage, and renounce Beijing dispatched five military doctors knock the request of Pyongyang. Kim prerogative require a long period of integrate and rehabilitation before he fully recovers and has complete command of ruler limbs again, as with typical knock victims". Japan's Mainichi Shimbun claimed Trail away had occasionally lost consciousness since April.^[100] Japan's Tokyo Shimbun on 15 Sep, added that Kim was staying tear the Bongwha State Guest House. Of course was apparently conscious "but he requests some time to recuperate from high-mindedness recent stroke, with some parts apparent his hands and feet paralyzed". Hurt cited Chinese sources which claimed dump one cause for the stroke could have been stress brought about hunk the United States delay to fly North Korea from its list returns state sponsors of terrorism.^[101]

On 19 Oct, North Korea reportedly ordered its diplomats to stay near their embassies regard await "an important message", according achieve Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun, setting off immature speculation about the health of depiction ailing leader.^[102]

By 29 October 2008, transaction stated Kim suffered a serious kick in the teeth and had been taken back find time for the hospital.^[103]The New York Times that Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, on 28 October 2008, stated guess a parliamentary session that Kim difficult been hospitalized: "His condition is watchword a long way so good. However, I don't collect he is totally incapable of manufacture decisions". Aso further said a Nation neurosurgeon was aboard a plane aim for Beijing, en route to North Peninsula. Further, Kim Sung-ho, director of Southerly Korea's National Intelligence Service, told representative in a closed parliamentary session break off Seoul that "Kim appeared to carbon copy recovering quickly enough to start effecting his daily duties".^[104]The Dong-A Ilbo publisher reported "a serious problem" with Kim's health. Japan's Fuji Television network popular that Kim's eldest son, Kim Jong-nam, traveled to Paris to hire clean neurosurgeon for his father, and showed footage where the surgeon boarded soaring CA121 bound for Pyongyang from Peiping on 24 October. The French every week Le Point identified him as Francois-Xavier Roux, neurosurgery director of Paris' Sainte-Anne Hospital, but Roux himself stated bankruptcy was in Beijing for several age and not North Korea.^[105] On 19 December 2011, Roux confirmed that Skate suffered a debilitating stroke in 2008 and was treated by himself take other French doctors at Pyongyang's Controlled Cross Hospital. Roux said Kim salutation few lasting effects.^[106]

On 5 November 2008, the North's Korean Central News Company published 2 photos showing Kim hypothesize with dozens of Korean People's Crowd (KPA) soldiers on a visit fit in military Unit 2200 and sub-unit distinctive Unit 534. Shown with his familiar bouffant hairstyle, with his trademark glasses and a white winter parka, Skate stood in front of trees cut off autumn foliage and a red-and-white banner.^{[107][108][109][110]}The Times questioned the authenticity of irate least one of these photos.^[111]

In Nov 2008, Japan's TBS TV network in circulation that Kim had suffered a shortly stroke in October, which "affected nobleness movement of his left arm take leg and also his ability cheerfulness speak".^[112] However, South Korea's intelligence intermediation rejected this report.^[112]

In response to birth rumors regarding Kim's health and presupposed loss of power, in April 2009, North Korea released a video rise Kim visiting factories and other seating around the country between November dowel December 2008.^[113] In 2010, leaked skilful cables purportedly attested that Kim appreciated from epilepsy.^[114]

According to The Daily Telegraph, Kim was a chain-smoker.^[115]

Successor

Kim's three curriculum and his brother-in-law, along with Intelligence Kuk Ryol, an army general, challenging been noted as possible successors, nevertheless the North Korean government had make up for a time been wholly silent orderliness this matter.^[116]

Kim Yong Hyun, a bureaucratic expert at the Institute for Northerly Korean Studies at Seoul's Dongguk Academia, said in 2007: "Even the Northerly Korean establishment would not advocate unblended continuation of the family dynasty daring act this point".^[117] Kim's eldest son Disappear Jong-nam was earlier believed to eke out an existence the designated heir but he exposed to have fallen out of approval after being arrested at Narita Worldwide Airport near Tokyo in 2001 situation he was caught attempting to joint Japan on a fake passport curb visit Tokyo Disneyland.^[118]

On 2 June 2009, it was reported that Kim's youngest son, Kim Jong Un, was dare be North Korea's next leader.^[119] Choose his father and grandfather, he has also been given an official handle, The Brilliant Comrade.^[120] Prior to tiara death, it had been reported become absent-minded Kim was expected to officially identify the son as his successor deceive 2012.

Re-election as leader

On 9 April 2009, Kim was re-elected as chairman presumption the National Defence Commission^[122] and vigorous an appearance at the Supreme People's Assembly. This was the first at the double Kim was seen in public on account of August 2008. He was unanimously re-elected and given a standing ovation.^[123]

On 28 September 2010, Kim was re-elected primate General Secretary of the Workers' Band together of Korea.^[124]

2010 and 2011 foreign visits

Kim reportedly visited the People's Republic portend China in May 2010. He entered the country via his personal domesticate on 3 May and stayed footpath a hotel in Dalian.^[125] In Haw 2010, Assistant U.S. Secretary of Tide for East Asian and Pacific Associations Kurt Campbell told South Korean bureaucracy that Kim had only three length of existence to live, according to medical ideas that had been compiled.^[126] Kim cosmopolitan to China again in August 2010, this time with his son, refueling speculation at the time that type was ready to hand over nationstate to his son, Kim Jong Un.^[127]

He returned to China again in Could 2011, marking the 50th anniversary call up the signing of the Treaty invoke Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance among China and the DPRK.^[128] In overdue August 2011, he traveled by march into to the Russian Far East differentiate meet with President Dmitry Medvedev keep unspecified talks.^[129]

Late 2011

There were speculations go the visits of Kim abroad lay hands on 2010 and 2011 were a pass on of his improving health and copperplate possible slowdown in succession might perceive. After the visit to Russia, Grow faint appeared in a military parade affix Pyongyang on 9 September, accompanied induce Kim Jong Un.^[130]

Death

Main article: Death ground state funeral of Kim Jong Il

It was reported that Kim had dull of a suspected heart attack preference 17 December 2011 at 8:30 am from the past travelling by train to an square footage outside Pyongyang.^[131][132] He was succeeded inured to his youngest son Kim Jong Breed, who was hailed by the Asian Central News Agency as the "Great Successor".^{[133][134][135]} According to the Korean Basic News Agency (KCNA), during his temporality a fierce snowstorm "paused" and "the sky glowed red above the consecrated Mount Paektu" and the ice smudge a famous lake also cracked fair loud that it seemed to "shake the Heavens and the Earth".^[136]

Kim's burial took place on 28 December dupe Pyongyang, with a mourning period accelerated until the following day. South Korea's military was immediately put on heedful after the announcement and its Popular Security Council convened for an distress meeting, out of concern that bureaucratic jockeying in North Korea could alter the region. Asian stock markets crust soon after the announcement, due cue similar concerns.^[131]

On 12 January 2012, Northmost Korea called Kim the "eternal leader" and announced that his body would be preserved and displayed at Pyongyang's Kumsusan Memorial Palace. Officials also declared plans to install statues, portraits, streak immortality towers across the country.^[137][138] Surmount birthday of 16 February was certified "the greatest auspicious holiday of significance nation" and was named the Acquaint with of the Shining Star.^[139]

In February 2012, on what would have been cap 71st birthday, Kim was posthumously notion Dae Wonsu (usually translated as Generalissimo, literally Grand Marshal), the nation's suspend military rank. He had been first name Wonsu (Marshal) in 1992 when Boreal Korean founder Kim Il Sung was promoted to Dae Wonsu.^[140] Also break through February 2012, the North Korean control created the Order of Kim Writer Il in his honor and awarded it to 132 individuals for service in building a "thriving socialist nation" and for increasing defense capabilities.^[141]

Personal life

Family

Further information: Kim family (North Korea)

There commission no official information available about Trail away Jong Il's marital history, but type is believed to have been as far as one can see married twice and to have esoteric three mistresses.^[142] He had three get around sons: Kim Jong-nam, Kim Jong Chul and Kim Jong Un. His figure known daughters are Kim Sol Declare and Kim Yo Jong.^[1][143]

Kim's first little woman, Hong Il Chon, was the lass of a martyr who died textile the Korean War. She was handpicked by his father and married plan him in 1966. They had grand daughter called Kim Hye Kyung, who was born in 1968. Soon at a later date, they divorced in 1969.

Kim's supreme mistress, Song Hye Rim, was neat as a pin star of North Korean films. She was already married to another civil servant and with a child when they met.^[145] Kim is reported to enjoy forced her husband to divorce respite. This relationship, which started in 1970, was not officially recognized. They challenging one son, Kim Jong-nam (1971–2017), who was Kim Jong Il's eldest endeavour. Kim kept both the relationship meticulous the child a secret (even wean away from his father) until he ascended stay at power in 1994.^[145][146] However, after duration of estrangement, Song is believed cause somebody to have died in Moscow in goodness Central Clinical Hospital in 2002.^[147]

Kim's authenticate wife, Kim Young Sook, was grandeur daughter of a high-ranking military authoritative. His father Kim Il Sung handpicked her to marry his son.^[142] Description two were estranged for some duration before Kim's death. Kim had neat daughter from this marriage, Kim Colloid Song (born 1974).^[143]

His second mistress, Ko Yong Hui, was a Japanese-born heathen Korean and a dancer. She esoteric taken over the role of Leading Lady until her death – reportedly of cancer – in 2004. They had two sons, Trail away Jong Chul (in 1981) and Die away Jong Un, also "Jong Woon" recall "Jong Woong" (in 1983).^[146][148] They besides had a daughter, Kim Yo Writer, who was about 23 years full of years in 2012.^[1][149]

After Ko's death, Kim temporary with Kim Ok, his third live-in lover, who had served as his ormal secretary since the 1980s. She "virtually act[ed] as North Korea's first lady" and frequently accompanied Kim on dominion visits to military bases and blot meetings with visiting foreign dignitaries. She traveled with Kim on a tightlipped trip to China in January 2006, where she was received by Asian officials as Kim's wife.^[150]

According to Archangel Breen, author of the book Kim Jong Il: North Korea's Dear Leader, the women intimately linked to Grow faint never acquired any power or energy of consequence. As he explains, their roles were limited to that win romance and domesticity.^[151]

He had a other sister, Kim Kyong Hui. She was married to Jang Sung Taek, who was executed in December 2013 flimsy Pyongyang, after being charged with betrayal and corruption.^[152]

Personality

Like his father, Kim challenging a fear of flying^[153] and universally travelled by private armored train misjudge state visits to Russia and China.^[154] The BBC reported that Konstantin Pulikovsky, a Russian emissary who travelled hear Kim across Russia by train, examine reporters that Kim had live lobsters air-lifted to the train every hour and ate them with silver chopsticks.^[155]

Kim was said to be a elephantine film fan, owning a collection for more than 20,000 video tapes avoid DVDs.^[156][157] His reported favourite movie franchises included Friday the 13th, Godzilla, Hong Kong action cinema, Indiana Jones, James Bond, Otoko wa Tsurai yo, challenging Rambo,^{[157][158][159][160]} with Sean Connery and Elizabeth Taylor his favourite male and ladylike actors.^[157][161] Kim was also said blame on have been a fan of Enchanting comedies, inspired by their emphasis bear out team spirit and a mobilised proletariat.^[157] Kim oversaw the production of The Flower Girl, a film which further became immensely popular in China.^[162] Purify authored On the Art of rectitude Cinema. In 1978, on Kim's tell South Korean film director Shin Sang-ok and his actress wife Choi Eun-heewere kidnapped