This is the story of Kim Jong-un. A man who is notorious for his brutal dictatorship and ruthless personality.
The origin story
Kim Jong-un, the supreme leader of North Korea, was born into one of the world’s most enigmatic and infamous dynasties on January 8, 1984.
Although surprisingly it is widely believed by South Korean intelligence services that his actual birthday is a year prior for it to mark the 70th anniversary of his grandfather’s birth.
Kim was the youngest son of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who ruled the country from 1994 until he died in 2011.
His early life was shrouded in mystery, but it is known that he was educated in Switzerland between 1993 and 2000. Reports indicate that he went to the international school of Berne under the pseudonym “Chol-Pak”.
During this time he was described as being a shy ambitious child who got along with his classmates. He developed a love for basketball and would even spend hours drawing Michael Jordan.
Upon leaving Switzerland in the early 2000s, Kim Jong-un would go on to attend the Kim II-Sung University in Pyongyang, North Korea where he would obtain a degree in physics and another for being an army officer.
Ultimately, as a child, he was groomed for leadership and would be named his father’s successor in 2009.
Adulthood
In 2012, Kim Jong-un was officially declared the Supreme Leader of North Korea, and the world watched as this young, inexperienced man took the reins of one of the most isolated and repressive regimes on the planet.
Kim Jong-un’s rule has been characterized by a ruthless determination to maintain power and defiance of international law.
He has executed high-ranking officials who were perceived as a threat to his rule, including his uncle Jang Song-thaek, who was accused of treason and executed by a firing squad in 2013.
Kim Jong-un’s regime is also notorious for its nuclear weapons program, which has been the source of international concern and sanctions. By 2018 it had tested nearly 90 missiles and a total of 6 nuclear tests.
Despite international pressure, Kim has refused to give up his nuclear weapons and instead has used them as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the United States.
The relationship between North Korea and the United States has been a central theme of Kim Jong-un’s rule. In 2018, he held a historic summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore, where they signed an agreement to work towards the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
However, this agreement has not been implemented, and tensions between the two countries have risen again in recent years with North Korea continuing to build its nuclear weapons arsenal.
Kim Jong-un’s rule has also been marked by a major shift in North Korea’s economic policies. He has implemented several market-oriented reforms, including the social corporate responsible management system which increased the autonomy of businesses.
Despite these efforts, the North Korean economy remains one of the poorest and most isolated in the world, and its people continue to suffer from widespread poverty and hunger.
On a more personal note, Kim Jun-un’s former chef has stated that he loves Johnnie Walker whiskey, smokes Saint Laurent Cigarettes, drives a high-end Mercedes, and was basically a spitting image of his father.
Overall, unlike his countrymen, Kim is extremely wealthy having a reported 17 luxury palaces, a private jet, and a 100-foot yacht.
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Conclusion
But don’t be fooled. At the end of the day, Kim Jong-un’s rule has been marked by a cult of personality that is reminiscent of the Stalinist era.
The North Korean media portrays him as a benevolent and all-knowing leader who is loved and revered by his people.
In reality, the North Korean people live in fear of their government and the secret police, who use terror and intimidation to maintain control.
The story of Kim Jong-un is a dark and dramatic tale of power, repression, and fear. It is a story of a young man who was born into privilege and groomed for leadership, but who has become one of the most reviled leaders in the world.
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