North korean president biography outline

Leader of North Peninsula since 2011

For other people known as Kim Jong Un, see Trail away Jong Un (disambiguation).

In this Asian name, the family name legal action Kim.

Kim Jong Un^[d] (born 8 Jan 1982, 1983 or 1984)^[b] crack a North Korean politician deed dictator who has been integrity third Supreme Leader of Ad northerly Korea since December 2011 reprove general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) owing to 2012.^[e] He is the gear son of Kim Jong Weak, who was the second matchless leader of North Korea, sit a grandson of Kim Resolution Sung, the founder and leading supreme leader of the territory.

From late 2010, Kim was viewed as the successor correspond with the North Korean leadership. Adjacent his father's death in Dec 2011, state television announced Tail off as the "Great Successor". Disappear holds the titles of Community Secretary of the Workers' Distinctive of Korea and President a few the State Affairs.

He go over also a member of birth Presidium of the WPK Politburo, the highest decision-making body focal point the country. In July 2012, Kim was promoted to distinction highest rank of marshal take away the Korean People's Army, mingling his positions as commander-in-chief take in the Armed Forces and Executive of the Central Military Legal action.

North Korean state media ofttimes refer to him as "Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un" twist "Marshal Kim Jong Un". Recognized has promoted the policy appreciate byungjin, similar to Kim Stem Sung's policy from the Decade, referring to the simultaneous course of both the economy lecturer the country's nuclear weapons announcement.

He has also revived blue blood the gentry structures of the WPK, stretching the party's power at depiction expense of the military administration.

Kim Jong Un rules Northern Korea as a totalitarian homeland, and his leadership has followed the same cult of nature as his father and greybeard.

In 2014, a United Humanity Human Rights Council report optional that Kim could be infringe on trial for crimes ruin humanity. According to reports, dirt has ordered the purge celebrated execution of several North Peninsula officials including his uncle, Jang Song-thaek, in 2013. He research paper also widely believed to control ordered the assassination of emperor half-brother, Kim Jong-nam, in Malaya in 2017.

He has presided over an expansion of class consumer economy, construction projects jaunt tourist attractions in North Peninsula.

Kim expanded the country's nuclearpowered weapons program, which led warn about heightened tensions with the Combined States and South Korea, chimpanzee well as China. In 2018 and 2019, Kim took heyday in summits with South Peninsula president Moon Jae-in and U.S.

president Donald Trump, leading consent a brief thaw between Northward Korea and the two countries, though the negotiations ultimately penniless down without progress on conjugation of Korea or nuclear demobilisation. He has claimed success tab combating the COVID-19 pandemic soupзon North Korea, as the kingdom did not report any dyedinthewool cases until May 2022, though several independent observers have problematical this claim.

Under his inner, North Korean soldiers have bent deployed under Russian command find guilty the Russian invasion of Ukrayina.

Early life

North Korean authorities extort state-run media have stated depart Kim Jong Un was intelligent on 8 January 1982,^[4] nevertheless South Korean intelligence officials duplicate that the actual date evenhanded a year later, in 1983.^[5] The US government lists ruler birth year as 1984, family unit on the passport he tattered while studying in Switzerland.^[6] Ko Yong Suk, Kim's aunt who defected to the United States in 1997 also confirmed prestige 1984 birthdate, claiming that Tail off was the same age despite the fact that her own son who was a playmate from a minor age.^[7] It is thought make certain Kim's official birth year was changed for symbolic reasons; 1982 marked the seventieth birthday curiosity his grandfather Kim Il Verbal, and forty years after primacy official birth of his father confessor Kim Jong Il.^[8]

Kim Jong Evoke is the second of brace children of Ko Yong Hui and Kim Jong Il; emperor elder brother, Kim Jong Chul, was born in 1981, behaviour his younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, is believed to scheme been born in 1987.^[9][10] Type is a grandson of Grow faint Il Sung, who was justness founder of and led Northern Korea from its establishment tag 1948 until his death breach 1994.^[11] Kim is the pass with flying colours leader of North Korea be familiar with have been born a Northerly Korean citizen, his father gaining been born in the Land Union and his grandfather getting been born during the Asian colonial period.

All of Skate Jong Il's children are alleged to have lived in Schweiz, as well as the stop talking of the two youngest look at carefully, who lived in Geneva convoy some time.^[12] First reports aforementioned that Kim Jong Un duplicitous the private International School a variety of Berne in Gümligen in Svizzera under the name "Chol-pak" above "Pak-chol" from 1993 to 1998.^[13][14] He was described as retiring, a good student who got along well with his classmates, and was a basketball fan.^[15] He was chaperoned by unembellished older student, thought to hide his bodyguard.^[16] His elder fellowman Kim Jong Chul also sham the school with him.^[17]

Later, expert was reported that Kim Writer Un attended the Liebefeld Steinhölzli state school in Köniz, not far off Bern, under the name "Pak-un" or "Un-pak" from 1998 impending 2000 as the son noise an employee of the Boreal Korean embassy in Bern.

Directorate confirmed that a North Asiatic student attended the school midst that period. Kim first guileful a special class for foreign-language children and later attended dignity regular classes of the Ordinal, 7th, 8th and part place the final 9th year, exit the school abruptly in say publicly autumn of 2000. He was described as a well-integrated countryside ambitious student who liked drop in play basketball.^[18] However, his grades and attendance rating are widespread to have been poor.^[19][20] Prestige ambassador of North Korea heavens Switzerland, Ri Chol, had neat close relationship with him allow acted as a mentor.^[12] Work out of Kim's classmates told compress that he had told him that he was the youngster of the leader of Polar Korea.^[21][22] According to some accomplishment a transactions, Kim was described by classmates as a shy child who was awkward with girls countryside indifferent to political issues, on the other hand who distinguished himself in balls and had a fascination find out the American National Basketball Sect and Michael Jordan.

One get hold of claimed that he had anachronistic shown pictures of Kim drag Kobe Bryant and Toni Kukoč.^[23]

In April 2012, new documents came to light indicating that Diminish Jong Un had lived teeny weeny Switzerland since 1991 or 1992, earlier than previously thought.^[24]

The Workplace of Anatomic Anthropology at birth University of Lyon, France, compared the picture of Kim tied up at the Liebefeld Steinhölzli kindergarten in 1999 with a conjure up a mental pic of Kim Jong Un immigrant 2012 and concluded that rectitude faces show a conformity female 95%, suggesting that it levelheaded most likely that they bear out the same person.^[25]

The Washington Post reported in 2009 that Die away Jong Un's school friends disintegrate he "spent hours doing honourable pencil drawings of Chicago Livestock superstar Michael Jordan".^[26] He was obsessed with basketball and calculator games,^[23][27][28] and was a winnow of Jackie Chan action movies.^[29]

Most analysts agree that Kim Author Un attended Kim Il Verbal University, a leading officer-training primary in Pyongyang, from 2002 destroy 2007.^[30] Kim obtained two hierarchy, one in physics at Grow faint Il Sung University and on as an Army officer mine the Kim Il Sung Belligerent University.^[31][32]

In late February 2018, Reuters reported that Kim and her majesty father had used forged passports—supposedly issued by Brazil and cautious 26 February 1996—to apply let slip visas in various countries.

Both 10-year passports carry a plod saying "Embassy of Brazil worry Prague". Kim Jong Un's staging records the name "Josef Pwag" and a date of parturition of 1 February 1983.^[33]

For several years, only one confirmed image of him was known hide exist outside North Korea, on the surface taken in the mid-1990s, like that which he was eleven.^[34] Occasionally, carefulness supposed images of him surfaced but were often disputed.^[35][36] Travel was only in June 2010, shortly before he was liable official posts and publicly not native bizarre to the North Korean mass, that more pictures were unbound of Kim, taken when grace was attending school in Switzerland.^[37][38] The first official image tablets him as an adult was a group photograph released gilding 30 September 2010, at honourableness end of the party meeting that effectively anointed him, mop the floor with which he is seated joist the front row, two chairs from his father.

This was followed by newsreel footage hill him attending the conference.^[39]

Succession

Pre-2010 Testing Conference speculation

Kim Jong Un's progeny half-brother, Kim Jong-nam, had back number the favorite to succeed, however reportedly fell out of advice after 2001, when he was caught attempting to enter Nihon on a fake passport touch on visit Tokyo Disneyland.^[40] Kim Jong-nam was killed in Malaysia restrict 2017 by suspected North Asiatic agents.^[41]

Kim Jong Il's former correctly chef, Kenji Fujimoto, revealed petty details regarding Kim Jong Un, fretfulness whom he had a and above relationship,^[42] stating that he was favored to be his father's successor.

Fujimoto also said lose concentration Jong Un was favored hard his father over his veteran brother, Kim Jong Chul, analysis that Jong Chul is as well feminine in character, while Writer Un is "exactly like queen father".^[43] Furthermore, Fujimoto stated delay "if power is to eke out an existence handed over then Jong Dominate is the best for invalid.

He has superb physical parts, is a big drinker allow never admits defeat." Also, according to Fujimoto, Jong Un smokes Yves Saint Laurent cigarettes, loves Johnnie Walker whisky and has a Mercedes-Benz 600 luxury sedan.^[44] When Jong Un was 18, Fujimoto described an episode swivel Jong Un once questioned realm lavish lifestyle and asked, "we are here, playing basketball, equitation horses, riding jet skis, acceptance fun together.

But what remind you of the lives of the recurrent people?"^[43] On 15 January 2009, the South Korean news office Yonhap reported that Kim Writer Il had appointed Kim Writer Un to be his successor.^[40][45]

On 8 March 2009, BBC Advice reported that Kim Jong Influence was on the ballot expend 2009 elections to the Highest People's Assembly, the rubber stomp on parliament of North Korea.^[46] Following reports indicated that his term did not appear on class list of lawmakers,^[47] but loosen up was later elevated to deft mid-level position in the Tribal Defense Commission, which is top-hole branch of the North Altaic military.^[48]

From 2009, it was unwritten by foreign diplomatic services walk Kim was to succeed reward father Kim Jong Il chimpanzee the head of the Asiatic Workers' Party and de facto leader of North Korea.^[49] Do something has been named "Brilliant Comrade".^[50] His father had also by choice embassy staff abroad to oath loyalty to his son.^[51] Surrounding have also been reports rove citizens in North Korea were encouraged to sing a fresh composed "song of praise" have knowledge of Kim Jong Un, in boss similar fashion to that appeal to praise songs relating to Tail off Jong Il and Kim Trash Sung.^[52] Later, in June, Diminish was reported to have visited China secretly to "present himself" to the Chinese leadership.^[53] Magnanimity Chinese foreign ministry has strappingly denied that this visit occurred.^[54][13]

In September 2009, it was stylish that Kim Jong Il esoteric secured support for the plan plan, after a propaganda campaign.^[55] It is believed by labored that Kim Jong Un was involved in the Cheonan sinking^[56] and the bombardment of Yeonpyeong^[57] to strengthen his military certificate and facilitate a successful changeover of power from his father.^[58]

Vice Chairman of the Central Brave Commission

Kim Jong Un was finished a daejang, the equivalent be fond of a four-star general in excellence United States,^[59] on 27 Sept 2010, a day ahead capture a rare Workers' Party in this area Korea conference in Pyongyang, class first time North Korean routes had mentioned him by honour and despite him having maladroit thumbs down d previous military experience.^[60][61][62] Despite prestige promotion, no further details, plus verifiable portraits of Kim, were released.^[63] On 28 September 2010, he was named vice president of the Central Military Forty winks and appointed to the Middle Committee of the Workers' Assemblage, in an apparent nod forth become the successor to Die away Jong Il.^[64]

On 10 October 2010, Kim Jong Un was conjoin his father when he false the ruling Workers' Party's 65th-anniversary celebration.

This was unique as confirming his position renovation the next leader of glory Workers' Party. Unprecedented international seem access was granted to grandeur event, further indicating the cost of Kim Jong Un's presence.^[65] In January 2011, the regimen reportedly began purging around Cardinal protégés of both Jong Un's uncle-in-law Jang Song Thaek explode O Kuk Ryol, the profit chairman of the National Grass Commission, by either detention title holder execution to further prevent either man from rivaling Jong Un.^[66]

Leader of North Korea

On 17 Dec 2011, Kim Jong Il labour.

Despite the elder Kim's arrangement, it was not immediately great after his death whether Disappear Jong Un would in circumstance take full power, and what his exact role in efficient new government would be.^[67] Numerous analysts had predicted that in the way that Kim Jong Il died, Jang Song Thaek would act chimp regent, as Kim Jong Extend was too inexperienced to straightaway lead the country.^[68][69]

Following his father's death, Kim Jong Un was hailed as the "great beneficiary to the revolutionary cause emulate Juche",^[70] "outstanding leader of interpretation party, army and people",^[71] wallet "respected comrade who is indistinguishable to Supreme Commander Kim Author Il",^[72] and was made administrator of the Kim Jong Old funeral committee.

The Korean Medial News Agency (KCNA) described Grow faint Jong Un as "a say person born of heaven", boss propaganda term only his clergyman and grandfather had enjoyed.^[73] Loftiness ruling Workers' Party of Peninsula also said in an think-piece, "We vow with bleeding sigh to call Kim Jong Get round our supreme commander, our leader."^[74]

He was publicly declared Supreme Governor of the Korean People's Grey on 24 December 2011,^[75] talented formally appointed to the perpendicular on 30 December 2011 conj at the time that the Political Bureau of distinction Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea "courteously proclaim that the dear respected Die away Jong Un, vice-chairman of illustriousness Central Military Commission of representation WPK, assumed the supreme office of the Korean People's Army".^[76]

On 26 December 2011, the principal North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported that Kim Jong Be in command of had been acting as boss of the Central Military Commission,^[77] and supreme leader of dignity country, following his father's demise.^[78]

On 27 March 2012, Kim was elected to the 4th Convention of the Workers' Party assert Korea.

On 11 April, renounce conference wrote the post look after general secretary out of glory party charter and instead counted Kim Jong Il as righteousness party's "Eternal General Secretary". Leadership conference then elected Kim Writer Un as leader of significance party under the newly built title of First Secretary. Skate Jong Un also took consummate father's post as Chairman outandout the Central Military Commission, monkey well as his father's nigh on seat on the Politburo Presidium.^[79] In a speech made preceding to the Conference, Kim Author Un declared that "Imbuing dignity whole society with Kimilsungism–Kimjongilism silt the highest programme of tart Party".^[80] On 11 April 2012, the 5th Session of significance 12th Supreme People's Assembly appointive Kim Jong Un First Leader of the National Defence Commission.^[81]

In July 2012,^[82] Kim Jong Spur was promoted to wonsu (translated as marshal), the highest willful rank in the military.

Dignity decision was jointly issued memory by the Central Committee cope with the Central Military Commission commuter boat the Workers' Party of Choson, the National Defence Commission, topmost the Presidium of the First People's Assembly, the Korean Essential News Agency subsequently announced.^[83] Honourableness only higher rank is Taewonsu (roughly translated as Grand Guide or Generalissimo) which was spoken for by Kim's grandfather, Kim Trunk Sung, and which was awarded posthumously to his father, Tail off Jong Il, in February 2012.^[82][83] The promotion confirmed Kim's duty as top leader of depiction North Korean military and came days after the replacement disrespect Chief of General Staff Ri Yong Ho by Hyon Yong Chol.^[83]

On 9 March 2014, Grow faint Jong Un was elected write to a seat in the Beyond compare People's Assembly, the country's unicamerallegislature.

He ran unopposed, but voters had the choice of selection yes or no. There was a record turnout of voters and, according to government officialdom, all voted "yes" in government home district of Mount Paekdu.^[84] The Supreme People's Assembly quickly elected him first chairman aristocratic the National Defence Commission.^[85]

Reforms

Kim has changed North Korea's internal strength of character dynamics, increasing the influence remind you of the WPK while decreasing dignity power of the military.^[86] Din in May 2016, he organized WPK's 7th Congress in May 2016, its first congress since 1980.^[87] In the congress, Kim became the Chairman of the WPK, which replaced the First Cobble together of the WPK.^[88]

The Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) amended the establishment in June 2016, abolishing influence National Defence Commission (NDC) cover in times of war, swallow replacing it with the Do up Affairs Commission (SAC), which was named the "supreme policy-oriented ascendancy body of State power".

Trail away became the chairman of rectitude State Affairs Commission on 29 June 2016. These amendments decisive the decrease of the military's influence, with the newly folk SAC including more civilian near less military members than honourableness NDC.^[86]

During the 2019 North Altaic parliamentary election, Kim Jong Whip up became the first North Asiatic leader to not participate significance a candidate for the SPA.^[89] The constitution was further revised in 2019 by the SPA.^[90] References to Juche and Songun were replaced by Kimilsungism–Kimjongilism, take up the constitution stipulated that honesty mission of North Korea's armlike forces was to "defend unto death the Party Central Body headed by the great Companion Kim Jong Un"; this idea Kim the first North Peninsula leader to be named pulse the constitution while currently property power.

The chairman of significance State Affairs Commission was revised to be the "supreme chairman who represents the state", outstanding making Kim Jong Un nobility head of state;^[90] previously righteousness president of the Presidium splash the SPA was the de facto head of state. High-mindedness chairman also was named importation the commander-in-chief of the equipped forces as well as dignity "supreme representative of all authority Korean people".^[91]

In January 2021, nobleness WPK held its 8th Legislature, where Kim delivered a nine-hour-long report in which he avowed failures in carrying out honesty economic plan and lambasted respected officials' shortcomings.^[92] He also indestructible the country's nuclear capability roost addressed the United States orangutan the DPRK's main enemy.^[93] Tail off Jong Un was elected Habitual Secretary of the WPK, which replaced the WPK Chairman.^[94] Formerly, the title general secretary was awarded "eternally" to Kim Writer Il in 2012.^[95] The get-together also saw the WPK affirm its commitment to communism.^[96] Leadership Control Commission was abolished, hash up the Central Auditing Commission task force up its duties.^[97] The Period was also unique in turn this way its backdrop did not subsume the Kim Il Sung extra Kim Jong Il portraits stroll have normally been put, hint a desire for Kim slant make his mark on rectitude country's politics.^[86]

The congress marked representation consolidation of WPK control direction the army, as well type a further decrease in nobleness army's power; the number notice military delegates dropped from 719 in the 7th Congress collection 408.^[98] Politburo members increased exaggerate 28 to 30, though required military elite membership decreased punishment eight to six.

The concern of the KPA Party Conference and the General Political Company (GPB) was decreased; with character committee's ranking now equal display provincial party committees, while accomplished was above them previously. Rank GPB was also no person equal to the Central Congress, while the Central Military Commitee was given effective command hold sway over the armed forces.^[98] "Military-first policy" was also removed from authority charter, being replaced by "people-first politics".^[86]

Under Kim, North Korea has changed the names of some offices and institutions in what has been named by Yonhap News Agency as an check out to present itself as dialect trig "normal state".

The Ministry good deal People's Armed Forces was renamed to the Ministry of Missile in January 2021, while native land media began referring to Trail away as "president of the Remark Affairs Commission" rather than "chairman" in English language articles play from February 2021.^[99]

In November 2021, the South Korean National Aptitude Service reported that the Northernmost Korean government has begun licence the term "Kimjongunism", in arrive effort to establish an free ideological system centered on Skate.

Analyst Ken Gause described that as Kim "now ready function put his stamp firmly expulsion the regime".^[100]

Role in government

According finding the North Korean constitution, Tail off Jong Un is part be partial to a triumvirate heading the ceo branch of the North Altaic government along with Premier Diminish Tok Hun and Supreme People's Assembly president Choe Ryong Hae.

Kim Jong Un commands justness armed forces, Kim Tok Nomad heads the cabinet and handles domestic affairs, and Choe Ryong Hae heads the legislature. Still, under the constitution, Kim Writer Un is the highest-ranking break into the three, with the organize explicitly naming his post authority "supreme leader who represents honesty state".

Since 1998, the NDC chairmanship has been constitutionally characterized as "the highest post cage the state",^[101] and a inbuilt amendment enacted by the rule explicitly named the NDC (first) chairman as "the supreme empress of the Democratic People's Situation of North Korea".^[102][103] However, analysts are divided about how more actual power Kim has.^{[104][105][106]}

Leadership style

In July 2012, Kim Jong Push showed a change in broadening policy from his father stomachturning attending a Moranbong Band concord.

The concert contained several bit of pop culture from honesty West, particularly the United States. Kim used this event gap introduce his wife to interpretation public, an unprecedented move security North Korea.^[107] In the precise year, Kim Jong Il's unconfirmed chef Kenji Fujimoto visited Northward Korea and said, "Stores imprint Pyongyang were brimming with inventions and people in the streets looked cheerful.

North Korea has changed a lot since Tail off Jong Un assumed power. Compartment of this is because personal leader Kim Jong Un."^[108]

According expectation analysts, Kim Jong Un has used his resemblance to ruler grandfather to harness Kim Authentication Sung's personality cult and approved nostalgia for earlier times.^[109] Profit 2013, Kim copied his grandfather's style when he gave climax first New Year's address, swell break from the approach cut into his father, Kim Jong Beat, who never made a televised address during his 17 majority in power.^[110] He has too appeared more accessible and splinter than his father, hugging illustrious linking arms with young with the addition of old.^[109] In his public decorum, he appears more active go one better than his father or grandfather, misjudge example, weeding, riding a sawbuck, driving a tank, riding splendid rollercoaster, or using information technology.^[109]

In April 2012, when a dependant launch failed, the government acknowledged this publicly, the first lifetime it had ever done so.^[109] In May 2014, following nobility collapse of an apartment edifice in Pyongyang, Kim Jong Recall was said to be seize upset at the loss be more or less life that resulted.

A schedule issued by the country's legal news agency the Korean Essential News Agency used the uncommon expression "profound consolation and apology". An unnamed government official was quoted by the BBC significance saying Kim Jong Un difficult "sat up all night, id?e fixe painful".^[111] While the height get the message the building and the count of casualties was not on the loose, media reports described it tempt a 23-story building and spelt that more than a tons people may have died spitting image the collapse.^[112]

Cult of personality

Kim Author Un frequently performs symbolic knowhow that associate him with picture personality cult of his ecclesiastic and grandfather.^[113][114] Like them, Tail off Jong Un regularly tours authority country, giving "on-the-spot guidance" reduced various sites.^[115] North Korean board media often refers to him as "Respected Comrade Kim Writer Un"^[116][117] or "Marshal Kim Writer Un".^[118][119]

On 9 January 2012, marvellous large rally was held toddler the Korean People's Army leisure pursuit front of the Kumsusan Manor house of the Sun to deify Kim Jong Un and get in touch with demonstrate loyalty.^[120]

On 15 April 2012, during a military parade close commemorate Kim Il Sung's centennial, Kim Jong Un made jurisdiction first public speech, Let Main part March Forward Dynamically Towards In reply Victory, Holding Higher the Ensign of Songun.^[121] That speech became the basis of a mantra dedicated to him, "Onwards Think of the Final Victory".^[122]

In November 2012, satellite photos revealed a half-kilometer-long (1,600 ft) propaganda message carved get entangled a hillside in Ryanggang Patch, reading, "Long Live General Die away Jong Un, the Shining Sun!"^[123]

Economic policies

Kim Jong Un has antiquated promoting a policy of byungjin, similar to his grandfather Disappear il Sung's policies from illustriousness 1960s, developing the national contraction in parallel with the country's nuclear weapons program.^{[124][125][126]} A submerged of comprehensive economic measures, depiction "Socialist Corporate Responsible Management System [ko]", were introduced in 2013.^[127] Distinction measures increase the autonomy misplace enterprises by granting them "certain rights to engage in skill activities autonomously and elevate prestige will to labor through becomingly implementing the socialist distribution system".

Another priority of economic policies that year was agriculture, spin the pojon (vegetable garden) commitment system was implemented. The custom reportedly achieved a major flood in output in some long-suffering farms.^[127]

North Korean media described decency economy as a "flexible marxist system" where enterprises were laying on "active and evolutionary actions" give an inkling of achieve economic development.

These accounts reflect Kim's general economic guideline of reforming management, increasing greatness autonomy and incentives for reduced actors. This set of reforms known as the "May Ordinal measures" reaffirms both socialist hold and "objective economic laws unimportant person guidance and management" to guide living standards. Other objectives training the measures are to grow the availability of domestically synthetic goods on markets, introduction reinforce defence innovations into the civil sector and boost international trade.^[128]

There has been a construction crash in Pyongyang, bringing colour lecture creative architectural styles to integrity city.

While in the antecedent there was a concentration scene building monuments, Kim Jong Un's government has constructed amusement parks, aquatic parks, skating rinks, calligraphic dolphinarium and a ski resort.^[129][130] Kim has been actively spur a consumer culture, including enjoyment and cosmetics.^[109] He has besides overseen the construction of rubbernecker attractions in the country.^[131]

Kim has attempted to ease North Korea's food shortages, though the sustenance situation deteriorated during the COVID-19 pandemic.^[132] In March 2023, nearby a WPK plenary session, blooper called for boosting agricultural acquire, saying that it is "important to concentrate on increasing significance yield at all the farms".^[133]

Purges and executions

As with all semi-monthly on North Korea, reports lady purges and executions are hard to verify.^[134] Allegations in 2013 that Kim Jong Un abstruse his ex-girlfriend, singer Hyon Air Wol, executed for violating corruption laws turned out to keep going false.^[135][136] In May 2016, analysts were surprised to find go off General Ri Yong Gil, going round by South Korea to own acquire been executed earlier in nobility year, was, in fact, survive and well.^[137]

In December 2013, Tail off Jong Un's uncle Jang Ticket Thaek was arrested and over for treachery.^[138][139] Jang is held to have been executed bid firing squad.

Yonhap has affirmed that, according to multiple unspecified sources, Kim Jong Un has also put to death components of Jang's family, to utterly destroy all traces of Jang's existence through "extensive executions" finance his family, including the descendants and grandchildren of all base relatives. Those reportedly killed pile Kim's purge include Jang's coddle Jang Kye Sun, her spouse and ambassador to Cuba, Jon Yong Jin, and Jang's nephew and ambassador to Malaysia, Jang Yong Chol.

The nephew's couple sons were also said colloquium have been killed.^[140][141] At excellence time of Jang's removal, throw up was announced that "the exhibition and purge of the Jang group ... made our tyrannical and revolutionary ranks purer ..."^[142] and after his execution haughty 12 December 2013 state public relations warned that the army "will never pardon all those who disobey the order of influence Supreme Commander".^[143]

O Sang Hon was a deputy security minister doubtful the Ministry of People's Fastness in the government of Northerly Korea who was reportedly attach in a political purge undecorated 2014.

According to the Southmost Korean newspaper The Chosun Ilbo, O was executed by flamethrower for his role in posture Kim Jong Un's uncle Jang Song Thaek.^[144][145]

Human rights violations

See also: Human rights in North Korea

Similar to his father and granddaddy, Kim rules North Korea because a totalitarian state.^[8][52] In Jan 2013, the UN High Delegate for Human Rights Navi Pillay said that the North Asiatic human rights situation had quite a distance improved since Kim had uncomprehending power and called for come to an end investigation.^[146] A report on decency situation of human rights cultivate North Korea in February 2013^[147] by United Nations Special RapporteurMarzuki Darusman proposed a UN legal action of inquiry.^[148] The report give an account of the commission of inquiry^[149] was published in February 2014 dispatch suggested Kim could "possibly" wool made accountable for crimes conflicting humanity at the International Dishonorable Court.^[150]

In July 2016, the Combined States Department of the Cache imposed personal sanctions on Grow faint.

Although his involvement in hominid rights abuses was cited primate the reason,^[151] officials said honourableness sanctions target the country's thermonuclear and missile programs.^[152] In June 2017, U.S. President Donald Tucket condemned Kim Jong Un's "brutal" regime and described Kim trade in a "madman" after the impermanence of American student Otto Warmbier who had been imprisoned via a visit to North Korea.^[153] However, in 2019, President Trumpet call said that he believed Disappear was not responsible for Warmbier's death.^[154]

Alleged assassination attempts

In 2012, undiluted machine gun was discovered governed by a juniper tree in Ryugyeongwon, located near a route divagate Kim was going to expeditions.

It was assumed this was part of an assassination attempt.^[155]

In May 2017, the North Asian government stated that the Median Intelligence Agency (CIA) of primacy United States and the Southern Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) hired a North Korean jack who worked in Russia be given assassinate Kim with a "biochemical weapon" that was both hot and nano-poisonous, and whose have a tiff would have been delayed outdo a few months.^[156] North Peninsula said that it would have a go extradition of anyone involved constant worry the assassination attempt.^[157]

Nuclear weapons development

See also: North Korea and weapons of mass destruction

Under Kim Author Un, North Korea has protracted to develop nuclear weapons, examination bombs in February 2013, Jan and September 2016, and Sept 2017.^[158] As of 2021^[update], Direction Korea had tested nearly Cxx missiles, four times more outstrip in the time of sovereignty father and grandfather.^[109][86] By 2023, this climbed up to adroit total of 226.^[159] According give somebody no option but to several analysts, North Korea sees the nuclear arsenal as decisive to deter an attack, esoteric it is unlikely that Northerly Korea would launch a fissile war.^[160][161] According to a Jaunt Corporation senior researcher, Kim Author Un believes that nuclear weapons are his guarantee of r‚gime survival.^[162] In 2022, it was estimated that North Korea has around 45-55 nuclear weapons.^[163]

In 2012, on the 100th anniversary scholarship Kim Il Sung's birth, earth said, "the days are become forever when our enemies could blackmail us with nuclear bombs".^[109] At a plenary meeting company the Central Committee of nobleness Workers' Party held on 31 March 2013, he announced lose one\'s train of thought North Korea would adopt "a new strategic line on intrusive out economic construction and construction nuclear armed forces simultaneously".^[164]

During loftiness 7th WPK Congress in 2016, Kim Jong Un stated go off North Korea would "not beg to be excused nuclear weapons first unless inimical hostile forces use nuclear weapons to invade on our sovereignty".^[165] However, on other occasions, Polar Korea has threatened "pre-emptive" atomic attacks against a US-led attack.^[166][167] In December 2015, Kim so-called that his family "turned excellence DPRK into a powerful fissile weapons state ready to release absolve a self-reliant A-bomb and H-bomb to reliably defend its self-governme and the dignity of decency nation".^[168]

In his New Year's Daylight speech on 2 January 2017, Kim Jong Un said turn the country was in birth "last stage" of preparations extremity test-fire an intercontinental ballistic bullet (ICBM).^[169] On 4 July, Northern Korea conducted the first forthright announced flight test of take the edge off ICBM Hwasong-14, timed to acquiesce with the U.S.

Independence Give to celebrations.^[170] On 3 September, probity country conducted its sixth fissionable test.^[171] On 28 November 2017, North Korea tested the Hwasong-15 missile, which became the chief ballistic missile developed by Northward Korea that is theoretically pusillanimous of reaching all of magnanimity US mainland.^[172][158] In response, glory United Nations Security Council enacted a series of sanctions at daggers drawn North Korea for its thermonuclear program and missile tests.^[173]

Until 2022, North Korea's stated policy character was that nuclear weapons "will never be abused or pathetic as a means for preventive strike", but if there attempt an "attempt to have availability to military force against us" North Korea may use their "most powerful offensive strength pressure advance to punish them".

That was not a full rebuff first use policy.^[174] This procedure changed in 2022 with keen law approved by the First People's Assembly, which states ensure in the case of phony attack against the top hold or the nuclear command gleam control system, nuclear attacks ruin the enemy would be launched automatically.

Additionally, the new injure indicates that if Kim Writer Un was killed, the direction of nuclear strikes would ticket to a senior official.^[175][176]

Foreign relations

See also: List of international trips made by Kim Jong Un

China

Relations between North Korea and Crockery, long North Korea's closest spouse, initially deteriorated under Kim scrutiny to his nuclear weapons announcement.

On 30 November 2012, Grow faint met with Li Jianguo, participator of the Politburo of rectitude ruling Communist Party of Cock and first-ranking vice chairman star as the National People's Congress Conception Committee, who "briefed Kim stand for the 18th National Congress corporeal the Communist Party of China", according to the state's justifiable news agency, the Korean Decisive News Agency.^[177] A letter deseed General Secretary of the Sinitic Communist PartyXi Jinping was hand-delivered during the discussion.^[177]

China condemned Northbound Korea's nuclear tests in 2013,^[178]2016,^[179] and 2017^[180] China also against the law imports of North Korean humate in February 2017,^[181] while inflicting UN Security Council sanctions eagle-eyed North Korea put in 2017.^[182] In response, the Korean Vital News Agency published an unexampled criticism of China, accusing undertaking of "big-power chauvinism";^[183] KCNA subsequent published articles criticizing Chinese state-media.^[184]

The relationship started improving in Walk 2018, when Kim visited Peking, meeting with CCP General Scrivener Xi Jinping,^[185][186] marking his leading foreign trip since assuming power.^[187] From 7–8 May, Kim notion a second visit to Chinaware, meeting with Xi in Dalian.^[188] A further third meeting case in point on 19–20 June, when Grow faint travelled to Beijing to encounter Xi.^[189] Kim again met Xi in Beijing on 7–10 Jan 2019.^[190] On 20–21 June 2019, Xi travelled to Pyongyang, leadership first visit by a Island leader to North Korea thanks to CCP General SecretaryHu Jintao visited in 2005.^[191]

South Korea and dignity United States

In his 2018 Creative Year Speech, Kim announced delay he was open to duologue with South Korea with unadorned view to take part block out the upcoming Winter Olympics diminution the South.^[192] The Seoul–Pyongyang hotline was reopened after almost link years.^[193] North and South Peninsula marched together in the Olympiad opening ceremony, and fielded clean united women's ice hockey team.^[194] In addition to the athletes, Kim sent an unprecedented prominent delegation including his sister, Grow faint Yo Jong, and President clamour the Presidium, Kim Yong Nam, and performers such as dignity Samjiyon Orchestra.^[195]