The Enigmatic and Ruthless Leadership of North Korea's Kim Jong Un

Introduction

North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is one of the most isolated and secretive countries in the world. Since its formation in 1948, North Korea has been ruled by the Kim dynasty, starting with Kim Il Sung, then his son Kim Jong Il, and currently his grandson Kim Jong Un.

Kim Jong Un became the supreme leader of North Korea in 2011 at the young age of 27 after his father Kim Jong Il passed away. Very little was known about Kim Jong Un when he rose to power, leading many to wonder what kind of leader he would be for the reclusive state.

Profile of Kim Jong Un

Kim Jong Un was born on January 8, 1982 (or 1983/84 by some accounts) in Pyongyang, North Korea. He was the youngest son of Kim Jong Il and his consort Ko Yong Hui. His older brothers are Kim Jong Chol and Kim Jong Nam.

As a child, Kim Jong Un attended the International School of Berne in Switzerland using a pseudonym. He studied there from approximately 1998 to 2000. He later attended the Kim Il Sung Military Academy in Pyongyang.

Kim Jong Un was virtually unknown outside of North Korea when his father Kim Jong Il suffered a stroke in 2008. He began being groomed as the successor and heir apparent. After his father died in December 2011, the younger Kim was declared the "Great Successor" and Supreme Leader of North Korea.

Personality and Leadership Style

Very little concrete information is known about Kim Jong Un's personality and leadership abilities. He has worked to craft a more charismatic public image than his notoriously reclusive father.

Some key aspects that have emerged about his leadership style:

• He has positioned himself as a "man of the people" by interacting directly with soldiers, workers, and ordinary North Koreans.
• He has promoted a more relaxed ideological atmosphere compared to his father.
• He has continued North Korea's "military first" policy and nuclear ambitions.
• He had several high-level officials executed, including his uncle Jang Song-thaek, seen as consolidating power.
• He has cracked down on defections and outside information to maintain domestic control.

Kim Jong Un's personality remains enigmatic. He is portrayed in North Korean state media as wise, benevolent, brave and charismatic. But the inner workings of his mind and how he rules with absolute authority remain largely unknown.

Nuclear Ambitions

Under Kim Jong Un's leadership, North Korea has aggressively pursued the development of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles. In 2012, North Korea successfully launched its first satellite into orbit via a long-range rocket.

Kim Jong Un has overseen four nuclear weapons tests since coming to power in 2011, signaling continued nuclear expansion. The country claims it has successfully miniaturized nuclear warheads to fit on ballistic missiles.

This nuclear brinkmanship has led to strong international condemnation and sanctions. But Kim Jong Un seems intent on cementing North Korea as a nuclear power.

Human Rights Abuses

Kim Jong Un presides over one of the most repressive totalitarian states in the world. North Korea has been accused of having gulags and concentration camps for political dissidents and other "enemies of the state." There are estimates of anywhere between 80,000 to 120,000 political prisoners.

Any signs of political opposition are dealt with harshly. Freedom of expression and access to outside information is severely limited. There is no independent media. The regime carefully crafts official state propaganda for the North Korean people.

The United Nations and human rights groups have denounced and criticized North Korea's systemic and widespread human rights violations. But change remains elusive within the closed borders of the Kim dynasty's rule.

Daily Life and Public Image of Kim Jong Un

The everyday life of Kim Jong Un is shrouded in secrecy. North Korean state media carefully constructs an image of him as a skilled and benevolent leader with the best interests of his people in mind.

Kim Jong Un has cultivated a more public-facing image than his recluse father. He is shown on state media encouraging the military, inspecting facilities, addressing workers, and engaging with the public.

He has also pursued some moderate economic reforms, allowing some market-oriented enterprises. He seems to recognize North Korea's economic fragility and the need for development.

Kim Jong Un appears to enjoy the luxuries and indulgences of power. He reportedly imported $2.7 million worth of high-end liquor, cheeses, and other delicacies in 2015. He is known to have health issues related to his smoking habits and weight.

The Supreme Leader continues his father's model of absolute control in North Korea. Major initiatives bear Kim Jong Un's name and guidance reflecting his cult of personality. His image permeates state media as the beloved, infallible leader of the Korean people.

Executions and Purges

Kim Jong Un has reportedly executed senior officials and family members in an effort to consolidate power:

• His uncle Jang Song-thaek, seen as his mentor, was executed in 2013 for treason.
• General Ri Yong-gil was executed in 2016 for corruption and forming factions.
• His half-brother Kim Jong Nam was assassinated in Malaysia in 2017.
• Hyon Yong-chol and others were executed by anti-aircraft gunfire for disloyalty.

This pattern of executions and purges reveals a ruthless side to Kim Jong Un. He does not tolerate any potential threats to his supreme authority over North Korea's regime.

Succession Speculation

There is much speculation about who will succeed Kim Jong Un if he dies suddenly or is incapacitated without a clear heir. He is believed to have three children (born in 2010, 2013, 2017) with his wife Ri Sol-ju, but they are far too young to take over.

His sister Kim Yo-jong is seen as the most likely successor in such a scenario. She has been taking on a more prominent leadership role in recent years and may be designated as his heir. The Kim dynasty seems set on maintaining its grip on power in North Korea.

Conclusion

Kim Jong Un has cemented his control over North Korea by eliminating rivals, developing nuclear weapons, and propagating a cult of personality. But much remains unknown about the man behind the image crafted by state media propaganda.

Despite economic hardship, Kim Jong Un seems intent on prioritizing the military and nuclear ambitions over reforms. This has led to rising tensions with the international community and no end in sight to the human rights abuses inflicted on ordinary North Koreans.

FAQs

When did Kim Jong Un become the leader of North Korea?

Kim Jong Un became the Supreme Leader of North Korea in December 2011, following the death of his father Kim Jong Il. He was believed to be 27 years old at the time.

What is Kim Jong Un's leadership style?

Kim Jong Un has crafted a more charismatic public image than his father but rules North Korea with absolute authority. He has consolidated power through executions and purges while expanding the country's nuclear ambitions.

Who is likely to succeed Kim Jong Un?

If Kim Jong Un died suddenly without a clear heir, his sister Kim Yo-jong is seen as the most likely successor. She has taken on a more prominent leadership role in recent years.

How does North Korean media portray Kim Jong Un?

State-controlled North Korean media carefully crafts an image of Kim Jong Un as a wise, benevolent and popular leader who has the country's best interests in mind. In reality, little is known about him.