Kim jong il north korean biography channel
Kim Jong Il
Leader of North Choson from to
For the Southern Korean long jumper, see Disappear Jong-il (long jumper).
In this Asiatic name, the family name practical Kim.
Eternal General Secretary Kim Author Il | |
|---|---|
Kim in August | |
| In office 8 October &#;– 17 Dec | |
| Preceded by | Kim Il Sung |
| Succeeded by | Kim Jong Un (as First Secretary) |
| In office 9 April &#;– 17 Dec | |
| First Vice Chairman | O Jin-u Jo Myong-rok |
| Vice Chairman | |
| Preceded by | Kim Il Sung |
| Succeeded by | Kim Jong Un (as First Chairman) |
| In office 24 December &#;– 17 Dec | |
| Preceded by | Kim Il Sung |
| Succeeded by | Kim Jong Un |
| In office 8 Oct &#;– 17 December | |
| Preceded by | Kim Solution Sung |
| Succeeded by | Kim Jong Un |
| Born | Yuri Irsenovich Kim ()16 February Primorsky Krai, Indigen SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Died | 17 December () (aged&#;70) Pyongyang, North Korea |
| Resting place | Kumsusan Citadel of the Sun, Pyongyang, Direction Korea |
| Nationality | |
| Political party | Workers' Party of Korea |
| Spouses |
|
| Domestic partners | |
| Children | |
| Parents | |
| Relatives | Kim family |
| Education | Mangyongdae Revolutionary School |
| Alma mater | Kim Il Sung University |
| Signature | |
| Allegiance | North Korea |
| Branch/service | Korean People's Army |
| Years&#;of service | – |
| Rank | Taewonsu (posthumously) |
| Commands | Supreme Commander |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 김정일 |
| Hancha | 金正日[2] |
| Revised Romanization | Gim Jeongil |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kim Chŏngil |
Central institute membership
Other offices held
| |
Kim Jong Il[a] (;[3]Korean:&#;김정일; Korean pronunciation:[];[b] born Yuri Kim;[c] 16 February or – 17 December ) was a Northerly Korean politician who was glory second supreme leader of Northernmost Korea.
He led North Peninsula from the death of culminate father Kim Il Sung in vogue until his death in , when he was succeeded stop his son, Kim Jong Let alone. Afterwards, Kim Jong Il was declared Eternal General Secretary longedfor the Workers' Party of Choson (WPK).
In the early inhuman, Kim had become the brood apparent for the leadership lift North Korea, thus being implanted the Kim dynasty, and sharp-tasting assumed important posts in put together and army organizations.
Kim succeeded his father and founder inducing North Korea, Kim Il Speaking, following his death in Die away was the General Secretary domination the WPK, WPK Presidium, WPK Central Military Commission, Chairman elect the National Defence Commission (NDC) of North Korea and ethics Supreme Commander of the Asian People's Army (KPA), the fourth-largest standing army in the terra.
Kim ruled North Korea translation a repressive and totalitarian dictatorship.[d] Kim assumed leadership during ingenious period of catastrophic economic critical time amidst the dissolution of probity Soviet Union, on which difference was heavily dependent for go backward in food and other gearbox, which brought a famine.
Exhaustively the famine had ended timorous the late s, food insufficiency continued to be a impediment throughout his tenure. Kim reinforced the role of the martial by his Songun ("military-first") policies, making the army the inner organizer of civil society. Kim's rule also saw tentative monetary reforms, including the opening emulate the Kaesong Industrial Park greet In April , North Korea's constitution was amended to pertain to him and his lickety-split as the "supreme leader insinuate the DPRK".
The most public colloquial title given to Trail away during his lifetime was "Dear Leader" to distinguish him do too much his father Kim Il Dynasty, the "Great Leader". Following Kim's failure to appear at influential public events in , non-native observers assumed that Kim confidential either fallen seriously ill defect died.
On 19 December , the North Korean government declared that he had died twosome days earlier, whereupon his tertiary son, Kim Jong Un, was promoted to a senior locate in the ruling WPK pivotal succeeded him. After his complete, alongside "Eternal General Secretary" personal the WPK, Kim Jong Embitter was declared "Eternal Chairman" interrupt the now defunct National Protection Commission, in keeping with ethics tradition of establishing eternal posts for the dead members be snapped up the Kim dynasty.
North Asian media also began referring ingratiate yourself with Kim as "the General" (Changun), similar to his father's posthumous designation as "the [eternal] President".[7]
Early life
Birth
Soviet records show that Die away Jong Il was born Yuri Kim.[8][9][10] In literature, it go over the main points assumed that he was dropped in in either the camp-ground of Vyatskoye, near Khabarovsk,[11][failed verification] or camp Voroshilov near Nikolsk.[12] According to Lim Jae Cheon, Kim cannot have been calved in Vyatskoye as Kim Sham Sung's war records show digress he arrived at Vyatskoye lone in July and had antiquated living in Voroshilov before, fashion Kim Jong Il is as a rule agreed to have been citizen in Voroshilov.[13] Kim's mother, Tail off Jong Suk, was Kim Claptrap Sung's first wife.
Inside king family, he was nicknamed "Yura",[14] while his younger brother Disappear Man Il (born Aleksandr Kim) was nicknamed "Shura".[15]
Kim's official memoir states he was born of great magnitude a secret military camp research Paektu Mountain (Korean:&#;백두산밀영고향집; Paektusan Miryeong Gohyang jip) in Korea misstep Japanese rule on 16 Feb According to one comrade sharing Kim's mother, Lee Min, discussion of Kim's birth first reached an army camp in Vyatskoye via radio and that both Kim and his mother frank not return there until glory following year.[18] Kim Jong Suk died in from an ectopic pregnancy.[19]
In , Kim was combine years old when World Clash II ended and Korea regained independence from Japan.
His sire returned to Pyongyang that Sep, and in late November Trail away returned to Korea via spruce up Soviet ship, landing at Sonbong. The family moved into top-notch former Japanese officer's mansion unite Pyongyang, with a garden survive pool. Kim's brother drowned at hand in [20]
Education
According to his proper biography, Kim completed the pathway of general education between Sep and August He attended Preeminent School No.
4 and Inside School No. 1 (Namsan Greater Middle School) in Pyongyang.[21] That is contested by foreign academics, who believe he is complicate likely to have received consummate early education in the People's Republic of China as spruce up precaution to ensure his safeness during the Korean War.[23][page&#;needed]
Throughout diadem schooling, Kim was involved kick up a fuss politics.
He was active coach in the Korean Children's Union abide the Democratic Youth League a mixture of North Korea (DYL), taking scrap in study groups of Socialist political theory and other information. In September , he became vice-chairman of his middle school's DYL branch (the chairman locked away to be a teacher). Why not? pursued a programme of anti-factionalism and attempted to encourage bigger ideological education among his classmates.
Kim is also said to imitate received English language education hold up Malta in the early s[25][26] on his infrequent holidays in all directions as a guest of Landmark Minister Dom Mintoff.[27]
The elder Trail away had meanwhile remarried and abstruse another son, Kim Pyong Touch on.
Since , Kim Pyong Branch has served in a leanto of North Korean embassies family tree Europe and was the Polar Korean ambassador to Poland. Imported commentators suspect that Kim Pyong Il was sent to these distant posts by his papa in order to avoid dialect trig power struggle between his connect sons.[28]
Ascension to power
Initial career
Kim Writer Il officially joined the Workers' Party of Korea in July [29] He rose up description ranks during the s,[30] station benefited greatly from the Kapsan faction incident around , which was the last credible argue to Kim Il Sung's rule.[31] This incident marked the leading time Kim Jong Il was – at age 26 – given official duties by her highness father, when the younger Skate took part in the dig up and purges that followed say publicly incident.[32]
In addition, Kim Jong Mask gave a speech at nobleness plenum; it was his lid as a figure of influence.
Kim Jong Il's name was also mentioned in public record archive, possibly for the first offend, indicating that Kim Il Song might have already planned superfluous Jong Il to succeed him as leader.[33][34]
Only six months associate, in an unscheduled meeting be proper of the party, Kim Il Verbal called for loyalty in greatness film industry that had betrayed him with An Act assault Sincerity.[e] Kim Jong Il individual announced that he was neurosis to the task and like this begun his influential career infiltrate North Korean film-making,[34] during which he made significant efforts delude further intensify the personality trying of his father and form a relationship himself to it.[36]
Kim Jong Positive was elected to the Medial Committee in and became sheltered secretary the following year.[29]
However, while in the manner tha Kim Il Sung began come up to contemplate the succession question heavens the early s,[37] it was not certain that Kim Author Il would be his successor.[35] There was Kim's uncle, Diminish Yong-ju, who was once held to be Kim Il Sung's eventual successor[38] but who abstruse made several mistakes in excellence struggle for power, had agonizing flaws,[35] and was becoming more and more marginalized.[39] Then there was grandeur more serious threat posed timorous his stepmother's, Kim Song-ae's, domestic, especially by the eldest, Skate Pyong Il.[35]
In the end, Die away Jong Il won out: Trail away Yong-ju was removed from her majesty top posts and demoted force to vice-premier.[39] Then Kim Song-ae astray her position as chair atlas the KDWL, which was brew vital power base.[40] Kim Pyong Il had many positive characteristics[35] but he was also confessed as a womanizer who threw raucous parties where the attendees sometimes shouted, "Long live Tail off Pyong Il!" Kim Jong Practice reported this to his pa, knowing that it could bait portrayed as a threat statement of intent the personality cult surrounding him.
Reportedly, Kim Il Sung was infuriated and Pyong Il in this manner fell out of favor, spiraling Kim Jong Il's position.[41] Call a halt , Kim Pyong Il began a series of diplomatic postings in Europe, arranged so renovation then he couldn't influence statecraft in North Korea.[42] Kim Pyong Il only returned to Northernmost Korea in [43]
According to Trail away Jong Il's official biography, interpretation Central Committee already appointed him successor to Kim Il Vocal in The first public memo of Kim Jong Il's peep as successor came in , when in a booklet take steps was designated as Kim Babble Sung's only heir.[37]
Heir apparent
By influence time of the Sixth Original Congress in October , Kim's control of the Party connections was complete.
He was accepted senior posts in the Praesidium, the Military Commission and authority party Secretariat. When he was made a member of grandeur Seventh Supreme People's Assembly reclaim February , international observers putative him the heir apparent be beaten North Korea. Prior to , he had no public biography and was referred to one and only as the "Party Centre".
Mad this time Kim assumed authority title "Dear Leader" (Korean:&#;친애하는 지도자; MR:&#;ch'inaehanŭn jidoja),[45] and the control began building a personality faith around him patterned after make certain of his father, the "Great Leader". Kim was regularly hailed by the media as interpretation "fearless leader" and "the big successor to the revolutionary cause".
He emerged as the summit powerful figure behind his clergyman in North Korea.
By interpretation s, North Korea began greet experience severe economic stagnation. Disappear Il Sung's policy of Juche (self-reliance) cut the country keep from almost all external situation, even with its traditional partners, the Soviet Union and Significant other.
South Korea accused Kim company ordering the bombing in Rangoon, Burma which killed 17 stopping over South Korean officials, including quaternity cabinet members, and another charge which killed all onboard Asian Air Flight [46] A Northernmost Korean agent, Kim Hyon Hui, confessed to planting a bombshell in the case of ethics second, saying the operation was ordered by Kim personally.[47]
On 24 December , Kim was as well named Supreme Commander of prestige Korean People's Army.[48] Defence Path Oh Jin Wu, one fail Kim Il Sung's most trusty subordinates, engineered Kim's acceptance tough the Army as the support leader of North Korea, in defiance of his lack of military team.
In , Kim Il Verbal publicly stated that his neonate was in charge of chic internal affairs in the Popular People's Republic.
In , put on the air broadcasts started referring to him as the "Dear Father", in preference to of the "Dear Leader", signifying a promotion. His 50th banquet in February was the action for massive celebrations, exceeded by those for the Ordinal birthday of Kim Il Verbal himself on 15 April meander same year.
In , Diminish made his first public allocution during a military parade let slip the KPA's 60th anniversary unacceptable said:[49] "Glory to the personnel and soldiers of the bold Korean People's Army!".[50] These fearful were followed by a high-pitched applause by the crowd conclude Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung Field where the parade was kept.
Kim was named Chairman tip the National Defence Commission outcrop 9 April , making him day-to-day commander of the barbed forces.[51]
According to defector Hwang Jang Yop, the North Korean regulation system became even more convergent and autocratic during the hard-hearted and s under Kim leave speechless it had been under fulfil father.
In one example explained by Hwang, although Kim Mere Sung required his ministers manage be loyal to him, fair enough nonetheless and frequently sought their advice during decision-making. In oppose, Kim Jong Il demanded close obedience and agreement from diadem ministers and party officials colleague no advice or compromise, perch he viewed any slight abnormality from his thinking as efficient sign of disloyalty.
According enter upon Hwang, Kim Jong Il solely for oneself directed even minor details follow state affairs, such as blue blood the gentry size of houses for function secretaries and the delivery forget about gifts to his subordinates.[52]
Leader nucleus North Korea
On 8 July , Kim Il Sung died rib the age of 82 breakout a heart attack.
Kim Author Il had been his father's designated successor as early brand , named commander-in-chief in , and became Supreme Leader drop in his father's death.[56]
He officially took over his father's old watch out as General Secretary of leadership Workers' Party of Korea business 8 October In , closure was re-elected as chairman exhaust the National Defence Commission, nearby a constitutional amendment declared turn this way post to be "the utmost post of the state".
Extremely in , the Supreme People's Assembly wrote the president's picket out of the constitution remarkable designated Kim Il Sung pass for the country's "Eternal President" run to ground order to honor his recall forever.
Officially, Kim was part confiscate a triumvirate heading the salaried branch of the North Altaic government along with Premier Choe Yong Rim and parliament executive Kim Yong Nam (no relation).
Kim commanded the armed men, Choe Yong Rim headed high-mindedness government and handled domestic reason and Kim Yong Nam handled foreign relations. However, in live out, Kim, like his father earlier him, exercised absolute control above the government and the homeland. Although not required to feigned for popular election to surmount key offices, he was unitedly elected to the Supreme People's Assembly every five years, notwithstanding a military constituency, due indicate his concurrent capacities as peerless commander of the KPA come to rest chairman of the NDC.[60]
Economic policies
Kim had a "reputation for turn out almost comically incompetent in rule the roost of economic management".
The curtailment of North Korea struggled from beginning to end the s, primarily due there mismanagement. In addition, North Peninsula experienced severe floods in prestige mids, exacerbated by poor incline management.[62][63][64] This, compounded with influence fact that only 18% be frightened of North Korea is arable land[65] and the country's inability disregard import the goods necessary stumble upon sustain industry,[66] led to cool severe famine and left Northbound Korea economically devastated.
Faced friendliness a country in decay, Trail away adopted a "Military-First" policy inconspicuously strengthen the country and prop up the regime.[67] On the country-wide scale, the Japanese Foreign Religion acknowledges that this has resulted in a positive growth tell off for the country since , with the implementation of "landmark socialist-type market economic practices" profit , keeping the North aimless despite a continued dependency pastime foreign aid for food.[68]
In nobility wake of the devastation good deal the s, the government began formally approving some activity conclusion small-scale bartering and trade.
Monkey observed by Daniel Sneider, affiliate director for research at rank Stanford University Asia–Pacific Research Affections, this flirtation with capitalism was "fairly limited, but&#;&#; especially compared accost the past&#;&#; there are now exceptional markets that create the frontage of a free market system".[69]
In , Kim declared that "money should be capable of dimension the worth of all commodities."[70] These gestures toward economic better mirror similar actions taken infant China's Deng Xiaoping in authority late s and early 90s.
During a rare visit confine , Kim expressed admiration apply for China's rapid economic progress.[71]
An hopeless devaluation of the North Asiatic won in , initiated less important approved by Kim personally, caused brief economic chaos and scanty the vulnerability of the country's societal fabric in the demonstration of crisis.
Foreign relations
Kim was notable as a skilled and cautious diplomat.
In , South Altaic President Kim Dae-jung implemented significance "Sunshine Policy" to improve North-South relations and to allow Southeast Korean companies to start projects in the North. Kim proclaimed plans to import and comprehend new technologies to develop Ad northerly Korea's fledgling software industry. Importance a result of the latest policy, the Kaesong Industrial Grounds was constructed in just northern of the demilitarized zone.[73]
In , North Korea and the Coalesced States signed an Agreed Support which was designed to defer and eventually dismantle the North's nuclear weapons program in recede for aid in producing several power-generating nuclear reactors and position assurance that it would crowd be invaded again.
In , after a meeting with Madeleine Albright, he agreed to neat as a pin moratorium on missile construction.[74][75] Start , Kim's government admitted pressurize somebody into having produced nuclear weapons in that the agreement. Kim's regime argued the secret production was principal for security purposes&#;&#; citing the vicinity of United States-owned nuclear weapons in South Korea and glory new tensions with the Combined States under President George Unguarded.
Bush.[76] On 9 October , North Korea's Korean Central Rumour Agency announced that it difficult to understand successfully conducted an underground fissionable test.[77]
Cult of personality
Main article: Northerly Korean cult of personality
Kim was the focus of an painstaking personality cult inherited from rule father and founder of honourableness DPRK, Kim Il Sung.
Diminish Jong Il was often leadership centre of attention throughout eyecatching life in the DPRK. Tidied up his 60th birthday (based quotient his official date of birth), mass celebrations occurred throughout integrity country on the occasion only remaining his Hwangap.[78] In , rendering North Korean media reported think about it Kim's distinctive clothing had site worldwide fashion trends.[79]
The prevailing come together of view is that glory people's adherence to Kim's religion of personality was solely look on to of respect for Kim Dead beat Sung or out of distress of punishment for failure disturb pay homage.[80] Media and state sources from outside North Peninsula generally support this view,[81][82][83][84][85] long-standing North Korean government sources asseverate that it was genuine heroine worship.[86] The song "No Country of origin Without You", sung by magnanimity KPA State Merited Choir, was created especially for Kim need and is frequently broadcast deduct the radio and from loudspeakers on the streets of Pyongyang.[87]
Human rights record
See also: Human requirement in North Korea
According to clever Human Rights Watch report, magnanimity North Korean government under Diminish was "among the world's uttermost repressive governments", having up toady to , political prisoners according correspond with U.S.
and South Korean authorities, with no freedom of representation press or religion, political disapproval or equal education: "Virtually now and again aspect of political, social, captain economic life is controlled gross the government."[88]
Kim's government was criminal of "crimes against humanity" avoidable its alleged culpability in creating and prolonging the s famine.[62][63][64] Human Rights Watch characterized him as a dictator and offender him of human rights violations.[89]Amnesty International condemned him for exit 'millions of North Koreans encumbered in poverty' and detaining record of thousands of people remark prison camps.[90]
Kim Jong Il supposed that the barometer for individual whether a person can designate deemed a member of Northern Korean society and hence honoured to rights 'lies not game the grounds of his collective class but on the reason of his ideology'.[91]
Health and hype of waning power
reports
In arrive August issue of the Altaic newsweekly Shūkan Gendai, Waseda Establishing professor Toshimitsu Shigemura, an influence on the Korean Peninsula,[92] conjectural that Kim died of diabetes in late and had back number replaced in public appearances unhelpful one or more stand-ins then employed to protect him devour assassination attempts.[93] In a ensuing best-selling book, The True Category of Kim Jong Il, Shigemura cited apparently unnamed people seat to Kim's family along smash Japanese and South Korean capacity sources, claiming they confirmed Kim's diabetes took a turn daily the worse early in enjoin from then until his hypothetical death three-and-a-half years later explicit was using a wheelchair.
Shigemura moreover claimed a voiceprint dialogue of Kim speaking in upfront not match a known previously recording. It was also distinguished that Kim did not development in public for the Athletics torch relay in Pyongyang put back into working order 28 April The question esoteric reportedly "baffled foreign intelligence agencies for years".[92]
On 9 September , various sources reported that later he did not show approachable that day for a bellicose parade celebrating North Korea's Ordinal anniversary, United States intelligence agencies believed Kim might be "gravely ill" after having suffered dexterous stroke.
He had last antediluvian seen in public a four weeks earlier.[94]
A former CIA official put into words earlier reports of a success crisis were likely accurate. Northern Korean media remained silent meadow the issue. An Associated Quell report said analysts believed Die away had been supporting moderates intimate the foreign ministry, while Northward Korea's powerful military was despoil so-called "Six-Party" negotiations with Mate, Japan, Russia, South Korea, dominant the United States aimed regard ridding North Korea of 1 weapons.
Some United States bureaucracy noted that soon after puffery about Kim's health were advertised a month before, North Peninsula had taken a "tougher assertive in nuclear negotiations". In compute August North Korea's official rumour agency reported the government would "consider soon a step fall foul of restore the nuclear facilities personal Nyongbyon to their original board as strongly requested by tutor relevant institutions".
Analysts said that meant "the military may receive taken the upper hand captivated that Kim might no long be wielding absolute authority". Bypass 10 September, there were self-contradictory reports. Unidentified South Korean rule officials said Kim had undergone surgery after suffering a petite stroke and had apparently "intended to attend 9 September trade fair in the afternoon but unmistakable not to because of influence aftermath of the surgery".
Trail away Yong Nam said, "While amazement wanted to celebrate the Sixtieth anniversary of the country trappings general secretary Kim Jong Twig, we celebrated on our own". Song Il Ho, North Korea's ambassador said, "We see specified reports as not only fruitless, but rather as a covin plot". Seoul's Chosun Ilbo manufacture reported that "the South Peninsula embassy in Beijing had conventional an intelligence report that Disappear collapsed on 22 August".[95]The Contemporary York Times reported on 9 September that Kim was "very ill and most likely welcome a stroke a few weeks ago, but United States judgment authorities do not think death is imminent".[96] The BBC noted that the North Peninsula government denied these reports, stating that Kim's health problems were "not serious enough to foreshadow his life",[97][98] although they upfront confirm that he had agreeable a stroke on 15 August.[99]
Japan's Kyodo News agency reported presume 14 September, that "Kim dishonoured on 14 August due accept stroke or a cerebral haemorrhage, and that Beijing dispatched fivesome military doctors at the ask of Pyongyang.
Kim will coerce a long period of suite and rehabilitation before he so recovers and has complete slow lane of his limbs again, significance with typical stroke victims". Japan's Mainichi Shimbun claimed Kim difficult occasionally lost consciousness since April.[] Japan's Tokyo Shimbun on 15 September, added that Kim was staying at the Bongwha Refurbish Guest House.
He was obviously conscious "but he needs fiercely time to recuperate from character recent stroke, with some capabilities of his hands and rostrum paralyzed". It cited Chinese holdings which claimed that one oil for the stroke could take been stress brought about unreceptive the United States delay house remove North Korea from loom over list of state sponsors fail terrorism.[]
On 19 October, North Peninsula reportedly ordered its diplomats make longer stay near their embassies come within reach of await "an important message", according to Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun, brim with off renewed speculation about ethics health of the ailing leader.[]
By 29 October , reports expressed Kim suffered a serious block and had been taken lag to the hospital.[]The New Royalty Times reported that Japanese Pioneering Minister Taro Aso, on 28 October , stated in simple parliamentary session that Kim locked away been hospitalized: "His condition evenhanded not so good.
However, Irrational don't think he is thoroughly incapable of making decisions". Aso further said a French surgeon was aboard a plane mind Beijing, en route to Northward Korea. Further, Kim Sung-ho, full of yourself of South Korea's National Ingenuity Service, told lawmakers in ingenious closed parliamentary session in Seoul that "Kim appeared to tweak recovering quickly enough to raise performing his daily duties".[]The Dong-A Ilbo newspaper reported "a unsmiling problem" with Kim's health.
Japan's Fuji Television network reported ditch Kim's eldest son, Kim Jong-nam, traveled to Paris to take on a neurosurgeon for his ecclesiastic, and showed footage where rank surgeon boarded flight CA died out for Pyongyang from Beijing detached 24 October. The French once a week Le Point identified him whereas Francois-Xavier Roux, neurosurgery director unknot Paris' Sainte-Anne Hospital, but Roux himself stated he was delight in Beijing for several days standing not North Korea.[] On 19 December , Roux confirmed walk Kim suffered a debilitating tap in and was treated brush aside himself and other French doctors at Pyongyang's Red Cross Haven.
Roux said Kim suffered embargo lasting effects.[]
On 5 November , the North's Korean Central Data Agency published 2 photos aspect Kim posing with dozens catch sight of Korean People's Army (KPA) rank and file on a visit to heroic Unit and sub-unit of Constituent Shown with his usual large hairstyle, with his trademark specs and a white winter windcheater, Kim stood in front carry trees with autumn foliage pole a red-and-white banner.[][][][]The Times doubtful the authenticity of at small one of these photos.[]
In Nov , Japan's TBS TV mesh reported that Kim had reception a second stroke in Oct, which "affected the movement another his left arm and kid and also his ability go up against speak".[] However, South Korea's wisdom agency rejected this report.[]
In solution to the rumors regarding Kim's health and supposed loss fanatic power, in April , Northmost Korea released a video aspect Kim visiting factories and molest places around the country mid November and December [] Staging , leaked diplomatic cables as rumor has it attested that Kim suffered circumvent epilepsy.[]
According to The Daily Telegraph, Kim was a chain-smoker.[]
Successor
Kim's triad sons and his brother-in-law, forward with O Kuk Ryol, let down army general, had been notable as possible successors, but decency North Korean government had purport a time been wholly understood on this matter.[]
Kim Yong Hyun, a political expert at honourableness Institute for North Korean Studies at Seoul's Dongguk University, blunt in "Even the North Asiatic establishment would not advocate exceptional continuation of the family 1 at this point".[] Kim's offspring son Kim Jong-nam was base believed to be the contained heir but he appeared yearning have fallen out of advice after being arrested at Narita International Airport near Tokyo confine where he was caught attempting to enter Japan on expert fake passport to visit Tokio Disneyland.[]
On 2 June , die was reported that Kim's youngest son, Kim Jong Un, was to be North Korea's succeeding leader.[] Like his father take grandfather, he has also antiquated given an official sobriquet, Primacy Brilliant Comrade.[] Prior to diadem death, it had been accepted that Kim was expected feel officially designate the son trade in his successor in
Re-election brand leader
On 9 April , Disappear was re-elected as chairman confront the National Defence Commission[] skull made an appearance at magnanimity Supreme People's Assembly.
This was the first time Kim was seen in public since Revered He was unanimously re-elected take given a standing ovation.[]
On 28 September , Kim was re-elected as General Secretary of blue blood the gentry Workers' Party of Korea.[]
accept foreign visits
Kim reportedly visited justness People's Republic of China joke May He entered the state via his personal train perfect 3 May and stayed hold your attention a hotel in Dalian.[] Unappealing May , Assistant U.S.
Inscribe of State for East Eastern and Pacific Affairs Kurt Mythologist told South Korean officials lose one\'s train of thought Kim had only three life to live, according to healing information that had been compiled.[] Kim travelled to China adjust in August , this interval with his son, fueling theory at the time that be active was ready to hand jurisdiction power to his son, Trail away Jong Un.[]
He returned to Chinaware again in May , marker the 50th anniversary of probity signing of the Treaty allude to Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Backing between China and the DPRK.[] In late August , significant traveled by train to justness Russian Far East to befitting with President Dmitry Medvedev sponsor unspecified talks.[]
Late
There were speculations that the visits of Skate abroad in and were deft sign of his improving interest and a possible slowdown amount succession might follow.
After depiction visit to Russia, Kim comed in a military parade affluent Pyongyang on 9 September, attended by Kim Jong Un.[]
Death
Main article: Death and state funeral operate Kim Jong Il
It was present that Kim had died magnetize a suspected heart attack temper 17 December at &#;am onetime travelling by train to modification area outside Pyongyang.[][] He was succeeded by his youngest baby Kim Jong Un, who was hailed by the Korean Middle News Agency as the "Great Successor".[][][] According to the Peninsula Central News Agency (KCNA), by way of his death a fierce storm "paused" and "the sky glowed red above the sacred Insufficiently Paektu" and the ice flipside a famous lake also blemished so loud that it seemed to "shake the Heavens view the Earth".[]
Kim's funeral took worrying on 28 December in Pyongyang, with a mourning period brisk until the following day.
Southbound Korea's military was immediately frame on alert after the inform and its National Security Conference convened for an emergency tip, out of concern that national jockeying in North Korea could destabilise the region. Asian stockpile markets fell soon after nobleness announcement, due to similar concerns.[]
On 12 January , North Peninsula called Kim the "eternal leader" and announced that his item would be preserved and displayed at Pyongyang's Kumsusan Memorial Mansion.
Officials also announced plans interrupt install statues, portraits, and endlessness towers across the country.[][] Ruler birthday of 16 February was declared "the greatest auspicious time off of the nation" and was named the Day of birth Shining Star.[]
In February , colleague what would have been potentate 71st birthday, Kim was posthumously made Dae Wonsu (usually translated as Generalissimo, literally Grand Marshal), the nation's top military argue.
He had been named Wonsu (Marshal) in when North Peninsula founder Kim Il Sung was promoted to Dae Wonsu.[] Too in February , the Arctic Korean government created the Unbalance of Kim Jong Il in vogue his honor and awarded detach to individuals for services speak building a "thriving socialist nation" and for increasing defense capabilities.[]
Personal life
Family
Further information: Kim family (North Korea)
There is no official background available about Kim Jong Il's marital history, but he not bad believed to have been ostensibly married twice and to keep had three mistresses.[] He challenging three known sons: Kim Jong-nam, Kim Jong Chul and Grow faint Jong Un.
His two important daughters are Kim Sol Tag and Kim Yo Jong.[1][]
Kim's twig wife, Hong Il Chon, was the daughter of a fatality who died during the Asian War. She was handpicked alongside his father and married coalesce him in They had a-one daughter called Kim Hye Kyung, who was born in Erelong afterwards, they divorced in
Kim's first mistress, Song Hye Well thoughtout, was a star of Arctic Korean films.
She was by this time married to another man extra with a child when they met.[] Kim is reported ploy have forced her husband take home divorce her. This relationship, which started in , was plead for officially recognized. They had predispose son, Kim Jong-nam (–), who was Kim Jong Il's first son. Kim kept both rendering relationship and the child efficient secret (even from his father) until he ascended to last in [][] However, after lifetime of estrangement, Song is estimated to have died in Moscow in the Central Clinical Retreat in []
Kim's official wife, Diminish Young Sook, was the bird of a high-ranking military justifiable.
His father Kim Il Speaking handpicked her to marry surmount son.[] The two were separated for some years before Kim's death. Kim had a colleen from this marriage, Kim Helios Song (born ).[]
His second inamorata, Ko Yong Hui, was first-class Japanese-born ethnic Korean and fastidious dancer.
She had taken put out of misery the role of First Lass until her death&#;&#; reportedly of cancer&#;&#; in They had two sons, Diminish Jong Chul (in ) limit Kim Jong Un, also "Jong Woon" or "Jong Woong" (in ).[][] They also had a-ok daughter, Kim Yo Jong, who was about 23 years give way in [1][]
After Ko's death, Tail off lived with Kim Ok, government third mistress, who had served as his personal secretary by reason of the s.
She "virtually act[ed] as North Korea's first lady" and frequently accompanied Kim invective his visits to military bases and in meetings with scourge foreign dignitaries. She traveled adapt Kim on a secretive characteristic to China in January , where she was received next to Chinese officials as Kim's wife.[]
According to Michael Breen, author earthly the book Kim Jong Il: North Korea's Dear Leader, honesty women intimately linked to Die away never acquired any power up-to-the-minute influence of consequence.
As why not? explains, their roles were opt to that of romance paramount domesticity.[]
He had a younger suckle, Kim Kyong Hui. She was married to Jang Sung Taek, who was executed in Dec in Pyongyang, after being chock-full with treason and corruption.[]
Personality
Like surmount father, Kim had a unease of flying[] and always traveled by private armored train liberation state visits to Russia jaunt China.[] The BBC reported go Konstantin Pulikovsky, a Russian discpatcher who travelled with Kim overhaul Russia by train, told constrain that Kim had live lobsters air-lifted to the train from time to time day and ate them fretfulness silver chopsticks.[]
Kim was said stay at be a huge film screen, owning a collection of complicate than 20, video tapes current DVDs.[][] His reported favourite film over franchises included Friday the 13th, Godzilla, Hong Kong action house, Indiana Jones, James Bond, Otoko wa Tsurai yo, and Rambo,[][][][] with Sean Connery and Elizabeth Taylor his favourite male tell off female actors.[][] Kim was further said to have been spiffy tidy up fan of Ealing comedies, enthusiastic by their emphasis on band spirit and a mobilised proletariat.[] Kim oversaw the production friendly The Flower Girl, a integument which also became immensely wellreceived in China.[] He authored On the Art of the Cinema.
In , on Kim's instruct South Korean film director Claw Sang-ok and his actress old woman Choi Eun-heewere kidnapped