The Untold Story of North Korea’s Leader Kim Jong-un

Kim Jong-un, the third-generation leader of North Korea, took power in 2011 following the death of his father, Kim Jong-il. However, his life story and leadership are shrouded in mystery. Kim Jong-un was born in 1984 and spent part of his education in Switzerland under a fake name. While in Switzerland, he appeared to be an ordinary, quiet student, with a notable passion for football and basketball. Little was known about his political ideology or leadership capabilities during this time.

The transition to leadership was not straightforward for Kim Jong-un. His father, Kim Jong-il, had initially chosen his eldest son, Kim Jong-nam, as his successor. However, after Kim Jong-nam was caught attempting to enter Japan with a fake passport and adopted a more Western lifestyle, he fell out of favor, paving the way for Kim Jong-un. In the years leading up to his father’s death, Kim Jong-un was rapidly promoted to military leadership positions and was introduced to the public.

North Korea’s governance is based on an authoritarian leadership model, and Kim Jong-un solidified the regime’s power after taking control. Human rights violations and strict governance practices have been widely reported. Kim Jong-un is known to have eliminated many of his close associates and family members to strengthen his hold on power. Notably, in 2013, he ordered the execution of his uncle Jang Song-thaek on charges of treason, highlighting the insecurity within the regime.

One of the most significant aspects of Kim Jong-un’s rule is his focus on the nuclear weapons program. He expanded the program initiated under his father’s leadership, making nuclear weapons and missile tests a central element of North Korea’s strategy. This has caused significant tension with the West, particularly with the United States. In 2018, Kim Jong-un met with then-President Donald Trump in a historic summit, raising hopes of denuclearization, although no concrete results were achieved.

There has also been much speculation about Kim Jong-un’s health. In recent years, his noticeable weight loss and rumors of health issues have sparked widespread theories. Some experts believe that Kim may suffer from heart problems due to obesity, but the North Korean regime has been highly secretive about his health status.