Phil hansen kim jong il biography

Leader of North Choson from to

For the Southeast Korean long jumper, see Grow faint Jong-il (long jumper).

In this Altaic name, the family name evolution Kim.

Kim Jong Il^[a] (;^[3]Korean:&#;김정일; Korean pronunciation:[];^[b] born Yuri Kim;^[c] 16 February or – 17 December ) was a Northern Korean politician who was ethics second supreme leader of Arctic Korea. He led North Peninsula from the death of her highness father Kim Il Sung restore until his death in , when he was succeeded invitation his son, Kim Jong Hark back to. Afterwards, Kim Jong Il was declared Eternal General Secretary elder the Workers' Party of Choson (WPK).

In the early callous, Kim had become the 1 apparent for the leadership acquire North Korea, thus being intimate the Kim dynasty, and unquestionable assumed important posts in resolution and army organizations. Kim succeeded his father and founder drawing North Korea, Kim Il Vocal, following his death in Trail away was the General Secretary in shape the WPK, WPK Presidium, WPK Central Military Commission, Chairman go with the National Defence Commission (NDC) of North Korea and nobility Supreme Commander of the Asiatic People's Army (KPA), the fourth-largest standing army in the earth.

Kim ruled North Korea sort a repressive and totalitarian dictatorship.^[d] Kim assumed leadership during a-okay period of catastrophic economic turning point amidst the dissolution of rendering Soviet Union, on which incorrect was heavily dependent for industry in food and other paraphernalia, which brought a famine. From way back the famine had ended unhelpful the late s, food shortage continued to be a bother throughout his tenure. Kim reinforced the role of the brave by his Songun ("military-first") policies, making the army the decisive organizer of civil society. Kim's rule also saw tentative monetary reforms, including the opening revenue the Kaesong Industrial Park tabled In April , North Korea's constitution was amended to make certain to him and his children as the "supreme leader prop up the DPRK".

The most typical colloquial title given to Disappear during his lifetime was "Dear Leader" to distinguish him breakout his father Kim Il Speaking, the "Great Leader". Following Kim's failure to appear at atypical public events in , tramontane observers assumed that Kim difficult either fallen seriously ill supporter died. On 19 December , the North Korean government declared that he had died days earlier, whereupon his ordinal son, Kim Jong Un, was promoted to a senior even in the ruling WPK opinion succeeded him. After his defile, alongside "Eternal General Secretary" goods the WPK, Kim Jong Finished was declared "Eternal Chairman" foothold the now defunct National Deny access to Commission, in keeping with primacy tradition of establishing eternal posts for the dead members staff the Kim dynasty. North Asiatic media also began referring be familiar with Kim as "the General" (장군 Changgun), similar to his father's posthumous designation as "the [eternal] President".^[7]

Early life

Birth

Soviet records show digress Kim Jong Il was provincial Yuri Kim.^[8][9][10] In literature, time-honoured is assumed that he was born in in either greatness camp of Vyatskoye, near Khabarovsk,^{[11][failed verification]} or camp Voroshilov secure Nikolsk.^[12] According to Lim Jae Cheon, Kim cannot have anachronistic born in Vyatskoye as Diminish Il Sung's war records wellknown that he arrived at Vyatskoye only in July and difficult been living in Voroshilov formerly, thus Kim Jong Il run through generally agreed to have bent born in Voroshilov.^[13] Kim's curb, Kim Jong Suk, was Trail away Il Sung's first wife. Lining his family, he was nicknamed "Yura",^[14] while his younger monk Kim Man Il (born Aleksandr Kim) was nicknamed "Shura".^[15]

Kim's ex cathedra biography states he was intrinsic in a secret military camp-ground on Paektu Mountain (Korean:&#;백두산밀영고향집; Paektusan Miryeong Gohyang jip) in Peninsula under Japanese rule on 16 February According to one playmate of Kim's mother, Lee Chinese, word of Kim's birth rule reached an army camp plentiful Vyatskoye via radio and lose concentration both Kim and his encircle did not return there in abeyance the following year.^[18] Kim Author Suk died in from break ectopic pregnancy.^[19]

In , Kim was four years old when Globe War II ended and Choson regained independence from Japan. Queen father returned to Pyongyang put off September, and in late Nov Kim returned to Korea next to a Soviet ship, landing swot Sonbong. The family moved hurt a former Japanese officer's castle in Pyongyang, with a leave and pool. Kim's brother sunken there in ^[20]

Education

According to potentate official biography, Kim completed character course of general education halfway September and August He anxious Primary School No. 4 current Middle School No. 1 (Namsan Higher Middle School) in Pyongyang.^[21] This is contested by alien academics, who believe he deterioration more likely to have common his early education in illustriousness People's Republic of China pass for a precaution to ensure tiara safety during the Korean War.^{[23][page&#;needed]}

Throughout his schooling, Kim was elaborate in politics. He was disobedient in the Korean Children's Combining and the Democratic Youth Federation of North Korea (DYL), attractive part in study groups rule Marxist political theory and in the opposite direction literature. In September , unwind became vice-chairman of his order school's DYL branch (the executive had to be a teacher). He pursued a programme come within earshot of anti-factionalism and attempted to support greater ideological education among sovereignty classmates.

Kim is also said skill have received English language schooling in Malta in the initially s^[25][26] on his infrequent holidays there as a guest rot Prime Minister Dom Mintoff.^[27]

The pre-eminent Kim had meanwhile remarried take had another son, Kim Pyong Il. Since , Kim Pyong Il has served in smashing series of North Korean embassies in Europe and was class North Korean ambassador to Polska. Foreign commentators suspect that Grow faint Pyong Il was sent friend these distant posts by dominion father in order to leave alone a power struggle between her majesty two sons.^[28]

Ascension to power

Initial career

Kim Jong Il officially joined decency Workers' Party of Korea take away July ^[29] He rose slang the ranks during the s,^[30] and benefited greatly from influence Kapsan faction incident around , which was the last likely challenge to Kim Il Sung's rule.^[31] This incident marked influence first time Kim Jong Fall out was – at age 26 – given official duties fail to notice his father, when the previous Kim took part in high-mindedness investigation and purges that followed the incident.^[32]

In addition, Kim Author Il gave a speech doubtful the plenum; it was coronate first as a figure warning sign authority. Kim Jong Il's designation was also mentioned in the upper crust documents, possibly for the prime time, indicating that Kim Wornout Sung might have already set able for Jong Il to qualify him as leader.^[33][34]

Only six months after, in an unscheduled conference of the party, Kim Weak Sung called for loyalty breach the film industry that locked away betrayed him with An Please of Sincerity.^[e] Kim Jong Vault himself announced that he was up to the task direct thus begun his influential job in North Korean film-making,^[34] generous which he made significant efforts to further intensify the makeup cult of his father contemporary attach himself to it.^[36]

Kim Author Il was elected to prestige Central Committee in and became its secretary the following year.^[29]

However, when Kim Il Sung began to contemplate the succession carefully in the early s,^[37] network was not certain that Die away Jong Il would be king successor.^[35] There was Kim's Kim Yong-ju, who was in the old days believed to be Kim Allin Sung's eventual successor^[38] but who had made several mistakes contact the struggle for power, locked away serious flaws,^[35] and was applicable increasingly marginalized.^[39] Then there was the more serious threat sham by his stepmother's, Kim Song-ae's, children, especially by the issue, Kim Pyong Il.^[35]

In the put out of misery, Kim Jong Il won out: Kim Yong-ju was removed plant his top posts and demoted to vice-premier.^[39] Then Kim Song-ae lost her position as throne of the KDWL, which was her vital power base.^[40] Diminish Pyong Il had many and above characteristics^[35] but he was too known as a womanizer who threw raucous parties where decency attendees sometimes shouted, "Long be situated Kim Pyong Il!" Kim Author Il reported this to crown father, knowing that it could be portrayed as a commination to the personality cult local him. Reportedly, Kim Il Speaking was infuriated and Pyong Transfer thus fell out of backup, strengthening Kim Jong Il's position.^[41] In , Kim Pyong Pleasingly began a series of foxy postings in Europe, arranged good as then he couldn't impinge on politics in North Korea.^[42] Tail off Pyong Il only returned obstacle North Korea in ^[43]

According assess Kim Jong Il's official memoirs, the Central Committee already fitted him successor to Kim Sum up Sung in The first initiate confirmation of Kim Jong Il's position as successor came hold back , when in a rounded he was designated as Diminish Il Sung's only heir.^[37]

Heir apparent

By the time of the Onesixth Party Congress in October , Kim's control of the Regulation operation was complete. He was given senior posts in high-mindedness Presidium, the Military Commission impressive the party Secretariat. When lighten up was made a member sell like hot cakes the Seventh Supreme People's Unit in February , international observers deemed him the heir come into view of North Korea. Prior stunt , he had no get out profile and was referred become only as the "Party Centre". At this time Kim not put into words the title "Dear Leader" (Korean:&#;친애하는 지도자; MR:&#;ch'inaehanŭn jidoja),^[45] and greatness government began building a character cult around him patterned subsequently that of his father, representation "Great Leader". Kim was unceremoniously hailed by the media considerably the "fearless leader" and "the great successor to the insurrectionist cause". He emerged as leadership most powerful figure behind coronate father in North Korea.

By the s, North Korea began to experience severe economic phlegm. Kim Il Sung's policy unravel Juche (self-reliance) cut the kingdom off from almost all beyond trade, even with its oral partners, the Soviet Union brook China. South Korea accused Grow faint of ordering the bombing throw in Rangoon, Burma which killed 17 visiting South Korean officials, together with four cabinet members, and other in which killed all onboard Korean Air Flight ^[46] Dexterous North Korean agent, Kim Hyon Hui, confessed to planting ingenious bomb in the case be defeated the second, saying the subservient was ordered by Kim personally.^[47]

On 24 December , Kim was also named Supreme Commander explain the Korean People's Army.^[48] Guard Minister Oh Jin Wu, sole of Kim Il Sung's escalate loyal subordinates, engineered Kim's acceptation by the Army as blue blood the gentry next leader of North Choson, despite his lack of brave service. In , Kim Elapse Sung publicly stated that tiara son was in charge walk up to all internal affairs in grandeur Democratic People's Republic.

In , radio broadcasts started referring make use of him as the "Dear Father", instead of the "Dear Leader", suggesting a promotion. His Fiftieth birthday in February was grandeur occasion for massive celebrations, exceeded only by those for ethics 80th birthday of Kim Officer Sung himself on 15 Apr that same year.

In , Kim made his first button speech during a military procession for the KPA's 60th celebration and said:^[49] "Glory to rank officers and soldiers of illustriousness heroic Korean People's Army!".^[50] These words were followed by fine loud applause by the flood at Pyongyang's Kim Il Vocal Square where the parade was held.

Kim was named Leader of the National Defence Snooze on 9 April , manufacture him day-to-day commander of birth armed forces.^[51]

According to defector Hwang Jang Yop, the North Asian government system became even go on centralized and autocratic during righteousness s and s under Skate than it had been way in his father. In one comments explained by Hwang, although Trail away Il Sung required his ministers to be loyal to him, he nonetheless and frequently hunted their advice during decision-making. Be grateful for contrast, Kim Jong Il necessary absolute obedience and agreement disseminate his ministers and party officialdom with no advice or cooperation, and he viewed any flimsy deviation from his thinking importation a sign of disloyalty. According to Hwang, Kim Jong Twig personally directed even minor information of state affairs, such bring in the size of houses bare party secretaries and the happening of gifts to his subordinates.^[52]

Leader of North Korea

On 8 July , Kim Il Sung dreary at the age of 82 from a heart attack. Die away Jong Il had been emperor father's designated successor as inopportune as , named commander-in-chief shut in , and became Supreme Controller upon his father's death.^[56]

He on the record took over his father's squeeze post as General Secretary archetypal the Workers' Party of Choson on 8 October In , he was re-elected as administrator of the National Defence Authority, and a constitutional amendment professed that post to be "the highest post of the state". Also in , the Loftiest People's Assembly wrote the president's post out of the design and designated Kim Il Vocal as the country's "Eternal President" in order to honor queen memory forever.

Officially, Kim was value of a triumvirate heading glory executive branch of the Northmost Korean government along with Arch Choe Yong Rim and congress chairman Kim Yong Nam (no relation). Kim commanded the setting forces, Choe Yong Rim armed the government and handled maid affairs and Kim Yong Nam handled foreign relations. However, shore practice, Kim, like his priest before him, exercised absolute avoid over the government and primacy country. Although not required nick stand for popular election tote up his key offices, he was unanimously elected to the Unrivalled People's Assembly every five geezerhood, representing a military constituency, test to his concurrent capacities trade in supreme commander of the KPA and chairman of the NDC.^[60]

Economic policies

Kim had a "reputation tutor being almost comically incompetent solution matters of economic management". High-mindedness economy of North Korea struggled throughout the s, primarily put an end to to mismanagement. In addition, Ad northerly Korea experienced severe floods fuse the mids, exacerbated by povertystricken land management.^[62][63][64] This, compounded write down the fact that only 18% of North Korea is delegate land^[65] and the country's ineptness to import the goods accountable to sustain industry,^[66] led come to get a severe famine and formerly larboard North Korea economically devastated. Upright with a country in bane, Kim adopted a "Military-First" guideline to strengthen the country bracket reinforce the regime.^[67] On magnanimity national scale, the Japanese Transalpine Ministry acknowledges that this has resulted in a positive repercussion rate for the country owing to , with the implementation forged "landmark socialist-type market economic practices" in , keeping the Northernmost afloat despite a continued dependance on foreign aid for food.^[68]

In the wake of the impairment of the s, the governance began formally approving some vim of small-scale bartering and go backward. As observed by Daniel Sneider, associate director for research conflict the Stanford University Asia–Pacific Test Center, this flirtation with free enterprise was "fairly limited, but&#;&#; especially compared to the past&#;&#; there are evocative remarkable markets that create position semblance of a free stock exchange system".^[69]

In , Kim declared ditch "money should be capable custom measuring the worth of blast of air commodities."^[70] These gestures toward financial reform mirror similar actions disused by China's Deng Xiaoping induce the late s and exactly 90s. During a rare call in in , Kim expressed esteem for China's rapid economic progress.^[71]

An unsuccessful devaluation of the Boreal Korean won in , initiated or approved by Kim alone, caused brief economic chaos gain uncovered the vulnerability of position country's societal fabric in influence face of crisis.

Foreign relations

Kim was known as a skilled squeeze manipulative diplomat. In , Southmost Korean President Kim Dae-jung enforced the "Sunshine Policy" to coach North-South relations and to admit South Korean companies to commence projects in the North. Grow faint announced plans to import endure develop new technologies to make progress North Korea's fledgling software commerce. As a result of honourableness new policy, the Kaesong Unskilled Park was constructed in tetchy north of the demilitarized zone.^[73]

In , North Korea and grandeur United States signed an Arranged Framework which was designed border on freeze and eventually dismantle representation North's nuclear weapons program buy exchange for aid in production two power-generating nuclear reactors suggest the assurance that it would not be invaded again. Twist , after a meeting co-worker Madeleine Albright, he agreed on a par with a moratorium on missile construction.^[74][75] In , Kim's government known to having produced nuclear weapons since the agreement. Kim's structure argued the secret production was necessary for security purposes&#;&#; citing integrity presence of United States-owned fissile weapons in South Korea impressive the new tensions with description United States under President Martyr W. Bush.^[76] On 9 Oct , North Korea's Korean Basic News Agency announced that set up had successfully conducted an clandestine nuclear test.^[77]

Cult of personality

Main article: North Korean cult of personality

Kim was the focus of stick in elaborate personality cult inherited expend his father and founder trip the DPRK, Kim Il Voiced. Kim Jong Il was oftentimes the centre of attention everywhere ordinary life in the DPRK. On his 60th birthday (based on his official date chastisement birth), mass celebrations occurred all through the country on the occurrence of his Hwangap.^[78] In , the North Korean media going round that Kim's distinctive clothing abstruse set worldwide fashion trends.^[79]

The better point of view is consider it the people's adherence to Kim's cult of personality was unparalleled out of respect for Tail off Il Sung or out bazaar fear of punishment for neglect to pay homage.^[80] Media illustrious government sources from outside Northmost Korea generally support this view,^{[81][82][83][84][85]} while North Korean government variety aver that it was original hero worship.^[86] The song "No Motherland Without You", sung stop the KPA State Merited Singers, was created especially for Tail off in and is frequently debate on the radio and dismiss loudspeakers on the streets sell like hot cakes Pyongyang.^[87]

Human rights record

See also: Living soul rights in North Korea

According dressing-down a Human Rights Watch description, the North Korean government decorate Kim was "among the world's most repressive governments", having save to , political prisoners according to U.S. and South Peninsula officials, with no freedom strip off the press or religion, national opposition or equal education: "Virtually every aspect of political, public, and economic life is disciplined by the government."^[88]

Kim's government was accused of "crimes against humanity" for its alleged culpability nonthreatening person creating and prolonging the ferocious famine.^[62][63][64] Human Rights Watch defined him as a dictator dowel accused him of human requisition violations.^[89]Amnesty International condemned him footing leaving 'millions of North Koreans mired in poverty' and detaining hundreds of thousands of disseminate in prison camps.^[90]

Kim Jong Go above claimed that the barometer funds distinguishing whether a person vesel be deemed a member admit North Korean society and thence entitled to rights 'lies snivel on the grounds of diadem social class but on prestige grounds of his ideology'.^[91]

Health boss rumours of waning power

reports

In an August issue of birth Japanese newsweekly Shūkan Gendai, Waseda University professor Toshimitsu Shigemura, draw in authority on the Korean Peninsula,^[92] claimed that Kim died prepare diabetes in late and locked away been replaced in public formalities by one or more stand-ins previously employed to protect him from assassination attempts.^[93] In dinky subsequent best-selling book, The Correct Character of Kim Jong Il, Shigemura cited apparently unnamed construct close to Kim's family council with Japanese and South Altaic intelligence sources, claiming they inveterate Kim's diabetes took a get back for the worse early reap and from then until coronate supposed death three-and-a-half years consequent he was using a wheelchair. Shigemura moreover claimed a voiceprint analysis of Kim speaking slope did not match a state earlier recording. It was further noted that Kim did sound appear in public for probity Olympic torch relay in Pyongyang on 28 April The skepticism had reportedly "baffled foreign brains agencies for years".^[92]

On 9 Sep , various sources reported put off after he did not county show up that day for neat as a pin military parade celebrating North Korea's 60th anniversary, United States astuteness agencies believed Kim might mistrust "gravely ill" after having welcome a stroke. He had solid been seen in public smashing month earlier.^[94]

A former CIA well-founded said earlier reports of efficient health crisis were likely watchful. North Korean media remained understood on the issue. An Allied Press report said analysts considered Kim had been supporting moderates in the foreign ministry, stretch North Korea's powerful military was against so-called "Six-Party" negotiations varnished China, Japan, Russia, South Choson, and the United States respect towards ridding North Korea sun-up nuclear weapons. Some United States officials noted that soon associate rumours about Kim's health were publicized a month before, Northward Korea had taken a "tougher line in nuclear negotiations". Hurt late August North Korea's legally binding news agency reported the governance would "consider soon a transaction to restore the nuclear extract in Nyongbyon to their creative state as strongly requested jam its relevant institutions". Analysts oral this meant "the military can have taken the upper mitt and that Kim might thumb longer be wielding absolute authority". By 10 September, there were conflicting reports. Unidentified South Altaic government officials said Kim abstruse undergone surgery after suffering smart minor stroke and had manifestly "intended to attend 9 Sep event in the afternoon however decided not to because regard the aftermath of the surgery". Kim Yong Nam said, "While we wanted to celebrate illustriousness 60th anniversary of the power with general secretary Kim Author Il, we celebrated on contact own". Song Il Ho, Boreal Korea's ambassador said, "We photo such reports as not solitary worthless, but rather as put in order conspiracy plot". Seoul's Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported that "the Southward Korean embassy in Beijing locked away received an intelligence report wind Kim collapsed on 22 August".^[95]The New York Times reported aver 9 September that Kim was "very ill and most supposed suffered a stroke a weeks ago, but United States intelligence authorities do not guess his death is imminent".^[96] Authority BBC noted that the Northern Korean government denied these step, stating that Kim's health sway were "not serious enough subsidy threaten his life",^[97][98] although they did confirm that he abstruse suffered a stroke on 15 August.^[99]

Japan's Kyodo News agency prevailing on 14 September, that "Kim collapsed on 14 August owed to stroke or a irrational hemorrhage, and that Beijing dispatched five military doctors at goodness request of Pyongyang. Kim inclination require a long period remove rest and rehabilitation before dirt fully recovers and has responsible command of his limbs arrival, as with typical stroke victims". Japan's Mainichi Shimbun claimed Disappear had occasionally lost consciousness by reason of April.^[] Japan's Tokyo Shimbun sun shelter 15 September, added that Diminish was staying at the Bongwha State Guest House. He was apparently conscious "but he desires some time to recuperate liberate yourself from the recent stroke, with virtuous parts of his hands plus feet paralyzed". It cited Asiatic sources which claimed that tending cause for the stroke could have been stress brought estimated by the United States join to remove North Korea shun its list of state sponsors of terrorism.^[]

On 19 October, Boreal Korea reportedly ordered its diplomats to stay near their embassies to await "an important message", according to Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun, setting off renewed speculation be evidence for the health of the shortcoming leader.^[]

By 29 October , undertaking stated Kim suffered a poker-faced setback and had been disused back to the hospital.^[]The Contemporary York Times reported that Altaic Prime Minister Taro Aso, group 28 October , stated give back a parliamentary session that Skate had been hospitalized: "His occasion is not so good. Nevertheless, I don't think he deterioration totally incapable of making decisions". Aso further said a Romance neurosurgeon was aboard a smooth for Beijing, en route add up North Korea. Further, Kim Sung-ho, director of South Korea's Municipal Intelligence Service, told lawmakers splotch a closed parliamentary session clear up Seoul that "Kim appeared be familiar with be recovering quickly enough look after start performing his daily duties".^[]The Dong-A Ilbo newspaper reported "a serious problem" with Kim's healthiness. Japan's Fuji Television network prevalent that Kim's eldest son, Diminish Jong-nam, traveled to Paris get in touch with hire a neurosurgeon for enthrone father, and showed footage in the surgeon boarded flight Vocabulary bound for Pyongyang from Peiping on 24 October. The Country weekly Le Point identified him as Francois-Xavier Roux, neurosurgery controller of Paris' Sainte-Anne Hospital, however Roux himself stated he was in Beijing for several stage and not North Korea.^[] Go with 19 December , Roux deep that Kim suffered a draining stroke in and was convenience by himself and other Land doctors at Pyongyang's Red Crucifix Hospital. Roux said Kim accept few lasting effects.^[]

On 5 Nov , the North's Korean Vital News Agency published 2 kodachromes showing Kim posing with piles of Korean People's Army (KPA) soldiers on a visit throw up military Unit and sub-unit admonishment Unit Shown with his original bouffant hairstyle, with his hallmark sunglasses and a white wintertime parka, Kim stood in principal of trees with autumn leaves of plants and a red-and-white banner.^[][][][]The Times questioned the authenticity of equal least one of these photos.^[]

In November , Japan's TBS Telly network reported that Kim locked away suffered a second stroke fake October, which "affected the augment of his left arm instruct leg and also his entitlement to speak".^[] However, South Korea's intelligence agency rejected this report.^[]

In response to the rumors in re Kim's health and supposed setback of power, in April , North Korea released a videotape showing Kim visiting factories gleam other places around the native land between November and December ^[] In , leaked diplomatic cables purportedly attested that Kim acceptable from epilepsy.^[]

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

Successor

Kim's three sons and his brother-in-law, along with O Kuk Ryol, an army general, had antique noted as possible successors, however the North Korean government challenging for a time been completely silent on this matter.^[]

Kim Yong Hyun, a political expert recoil the Institute for North Peninsula Studies at Seoul's Dongguk Lincoln, said in "Even the Northernmost Korean establishment would not endorse a continuation of the kindred dynasty at this point".^[] Kim's eldest son Kim Jong-nam was earlier believed to be interpretation designated heir but he comed to have fallen out be frightened of favor after being arrested favor Narita International Airport near Yedo in where he was at bay attempting to enter Japan convention a fake passport to beckon Tokyo Disneyland.^[]

On 2 June , it was reported that Kim's youngest son, Kim Jong Full of life, was to be North Korea's next leader.^[] Like his sire and grandfather, he has besides been given an official moniker, The Brilliant Comrade.^[] Prior bright his death, it had anachronistic reported that Kim was come off to officially designate the foetus as his successor in

Re-election as leader

On 9 April , Kim was re-elected as director of the National Defence Commission^[] and made an appearance dry mop the Supreme People's Assembly. That was the first time Disappear was seen in public on account of August He was unanimously re-elected and given a standing ovation.^[]

On 28 September , Kim was re-elected as General Secretary pan the Workers' Party of Korea.^[]

and foreign visits

Kim reportedly visited the People's Republic of Dishware in May He entered authority country via his personal entourage on 3 May and stayed in a hotel in Dalian.^[] In May , Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for Bulge Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell told South Korean administration that Kim had only combine years to live, according censure medical information that had antiquated compiled.^[] Kim travelled to Cock again in August , that time with his son, refueling speculation at the time guarantee he was ready to manhandle over power to his hooey, Kim Jong Un.^[]

He returned run to ground China again in May , marking the 50th anniversary penalty the signing of the Feel affection for of Friendship, Cooperation and Reciprocated Assistance between China and magnanimity DPRK.^[] In late August , he traveled by train penalty the Russian Far East conjoin meet with President Dmitry Medvedev for unspecified talks.^[]

Late

There were speculations that the visits hold Kim abroad in and were a sign of his rising health and a possible delay in succession might follow. Make something stand out the visit to Russia, Disappear appeared in a military demo in Pyongyang on 9 Sept, accompanied by Kim Jong Un.^[]

Death

Main article: Death and state sepulture of Kim Jong Il

It was reported that Kim had deadly of a suspected heart set upon on 17 December at &#;am while travelling by train accomplish an area outside Pyongyang.^[][] Take steps was succeeded by his youngest son Kim Jong Un, who was hailed by the Altaic Central News Agency as nobleness "Great Successor".^[][][] According to loftiness Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), during his death a crazy snowstorm "paused" and "the fulsomely glowed red above the hallowed Mount Paektu" and the assignment on a famous lake additionally cracked so loud that give rise to seemed to "shake the Empyrean and the Earth".^[]

Kim's funeral took place on 28 December deduct Pyongyang, with a mourning time lasting until the following time off. South Korea's military was instantly put on alert after interpretation announcement and its National Protection Council convened for an difficulty meeting, out of concern saunter political jockeying in North Peninsula could destabilise the region. Inhabitant stock markets fell soon tail end the announcement, due to be different concerns.^[]

On 12 January , Northerly Korea called Kim the "eternal leader" and announced that diadem body would be preserved service displayed at Pyongyang's Kumsusan Statue Palace. Officials also announced affair to install statues, portraits, reprove immortality towers across the country.^[][] His birthday of 16 Feb was declared "the greatest bright holiday of the nation" with was named the Day appeal to the Shining Star.^[]

In February , on what would have antique his 71st birthday, Kim was posthumously made Dae Wonsu (usually translated as Generalissimo, literally Lavish Marshal), the nation's top combatant rank. He had been denominated Wonsu (Marshal) in when Northerly Korean founder Kim Il Song was promoted to Dae Wonsu.^[] Also in February , rectitude North Korean government created goodness Order of Kim Jong Unsettle in his honor and awarded it to individuals for repair in building a "thriving collective nation" and for increasing take care of capabilities.^[]

Personal life

Family

Further information: Kim kinship (North Korea)

There is no authenticate information available about Kim Author Il's marital history, but flair is believed to have bent officially married twice and join have had three mistresses.^[] Take steps had three known sons: Skate Jong-nam, Kim Jong Chul leading Kim Jong Un. His flash known daughters are Kim Bask Song and Kim Yo Jong.^[1][]

Kim's first wife, Hong Il Chon, was the daughter of keen martyr who died during honesty Korean War. She was handpicked by his father and united to him in They challenging a daughter called Kim Hye Kyung, who was born subtract Soon afterwards, they divorced embankment

Kim's first mistress, Song Hye Rim, was a star draw round North Korean films. She was already married to another subject and with a child just as they met.^[] Kim is rumored to have forced her hubby to divorce her. This correlation, which started in , was not officially recognized. They difficult to understand one son, Kim Jong-nam (–), who was Kim Jong Il's eldest son. Kim kept both the relationship and the son a secret (even from father) until he ascended exceed power in ^[][] However, pinpoint years of estrangement, Song equitable believed to have died reap Moscow in the Central Clinical Hospital in ^[]

Kim's official helpmate, Kim Young Sook, was honourableness daughter of a high-ranking belligerent official. His father Kim Lock up Sung handpicked her to wife his son.^[] The two were estranged for some years already Kim's death. Kim had topping daughter from this marriage, Disappear Sol Song (born ).^[]

His without fear or favour mistress, Ko Yong Hui, was a Japanese-born ethnic Korean existing a dancer. She had inane over the role of Extreme Lady until her death&#;&#; reportedly nominate cancer&#;&#; in They had two research paper, Kim Jong Chul (in ) and Kim Jong Un, too "Jong Woon" or "Jong Woong" (in ).^[][] They also confidential a daughter, Kim Yo Writer, who was about 23 days old in ^[1][]

After Ko's brusque, Kim lived with Kim Be irate, his third mistress, who locked away served as his personal writer since the s. She "virtually act[ed] as North Korea's culminating lady" and frequently accompanied Disappear on his visits to force bases and in meetings take on visiting foreign dignitaries. She travelled with Kim on a close trip to China in Jan , where she was standard by Chinese officials as Kim's wife.^[]

According to Michael Breen, father of the book Kim Writer Il: North Korea's Dear Leader, the women intimately linked propose Kim never acquired any trounce or influence of consequence. Whilst he explains, their roles were limited to that of d'amour and domesticity.^[]

He had a junior sister, Kim Kyong Hui. She was married to Jang Song Taek, who was executed predicament December in Pyongyang, after being charged with treason and corruption.^[]

Personality

Like his father, Kim had nifty fear of flying^[] and everywhere travelled by private armored conflict for state visits to Country and China.^[] The BBC accepted that Konstantin Pulikovsky, a Country emissary who travelled with Diminish across Russia by train, sonorous reporters that Kim had be situated lobsters air-lifted to the drill every day and ate them with silver chopsticks.^[]

Kim was oral to be a huge pick up fan, owning a collection rot more than 20, video tapes and DVDs.^[][] His reported preferred movie franchises included Friday nobleness 13th, Godzilla, Hong Kong token action cinema, Indiana Jones, James Bond, Otoko wa Tsurai yo, obtain Rambo,^[][][][] with Sean Connery nearby Elizabeth Taylor his favourite 1 and female actors.^[][] Kim was also said to have antiquated a fan of Ealing comedies, inspired by their emphasis system team spirit and a mobilised proletariat.^[] Kim oversaw the acquire of The Flower Girl, systematic film which also became highly popular in China.^[] He authored On the Art of prestige Cinema. In , on Kim's orders South Korean film manager Shin Sang-ok and his sportsman wife Choi Eun-heewere kidnapped