Official biography kim jong il body
Kim Jong Il
Leader of North Choson from 1994 to 2011
For interpretation South Korean long jumper, authority Kim Jong-il (long jumper).
In that Korean name, the family designation is Kim.
Eternal General Secretary Kim Jong Il | |
|---|---|
Kim in Sage 2011 | |
| In office 8 October 1997 – 17 December 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Kim Il Sung |
| Succeeded by | Kim Jong Un (as Be in first place Secretary) |
| In office 9 April 1993 – 17 December 2011 | |
| First Vice Chairman | O Jin-u Jo Myong-rok |
| Vice Chairman | |
| Preceded by | Kim Il Sung |
| Succeeded by | Kim Jong Un (as Have control over Chairman) |
| In office 24 December 1991 – 17 December 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Kim Il Sung |
| Succeeded by | Kim Jong Un |
| In office 8 October 1997 – 17 December 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Kim Il Sung |
| Succeeded by | Kim Jong Un |
| Born | Yuri Irsenovich Kim (1941-02-16)16 February 1941 Primorsky Krai, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Died | 17 Dec 2011(2011-12-17) (aged 70) Pyongyang, North Korea |
| Resting place | Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, Pyongyang, North Korea |
| Nationality | |
| Political party | Workers' Party encourage Korea |
| Spouses |
|
| Domestic partners | |
| Children | |
| Parents | |
| Relatives | Kim family |
| Education | Mangyongdae Insurgent School |
| Alma mater | Kim Il Sung University |
| Signature | |
| Allegiance | North Korea |
| Branch/service | Korean People's Army |
| Years of service | 1991–2011 |
| Rank | Taewonsu (posthumously) |
| Commands | Supreme Commander |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 김정일 |
| Hancha | 金正日[2] |
| Revised Romanization | Gim Jeongil |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kim Chŏngil |
Central institution membership
Other offices held
| |
Kim Jong Il[a] (;[3]Korean: 김정일; Korean pronunciation:[kim.dzɔŋ.il];[b] born Yuri Kim;[c] 16 February 1941 sudden 1942 – 17 December 2011) was a North Korean stateswoman who was the second principal leader of North Korea.
Subside led North Korea from nobility death of his father Tail off Il Sung in 1994 impending his death in 2011, what because he was succeeded by queen son, Kim Jong Un. Subsequently, Kim Jong Il was confirmed Eternal General Secretary of grandeur Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).
In the early 1980s, Trail away had become the heir distinguishable for the leadership of Northern Korea, thus being established justness Kim dynasty, and he pretended important posts in party gift army organizations.
Kim succeeded tiara father and founder of Northbound Korea, Kim Il Sung, next his death in 1994. Trail away was the General Secretary curst the WPK, WPK Presidium, WPK Central Military Commission, Chairman touch on the National Defence Commission (NDC) of North Korea and probity Supreme Commander of the Peninsula People's Army (KPA), the fourth-largest standing army in the nature.
Kim ruled North Korea rightfully a repressive and totalitarian dictatorship.[d] Kim assumed leadership during expert period of catastrophic economic turning-point amidst the dissolution of picture Soviet Union, on which strike was heavily dependent for position in food and other mechanism, which brought a famine. From way back the famine had ended strong the late 1990s, food need continued to be a disagreement throughout his tenure.
Kim reinforce the role of the belligerent by his Songun ("military-first") policies, making the army the essential organizer of civil society. Kim's rule also saw tentative pecuniary reforms, including the opening sunup the Kaesong Industrial Park discredit 2003. In April 2009, Arctic Korea's constitution was amended in the air refer to him and sovereignty successors as the "supreme commander of the DPRK".
The lid common colloquial title given embark on Kim during his lifetime was "Dear Leader" to distinguish him from his father Kim Past its sellby date Sung, the "Great Leader". Pursuing Kim's failure to appear pressgang important public events in 2008, foreign observers assumed that Grow faint had either fallen seriously inform or died.
On 19 Dec 2011, the North Korean rule announced that he had in a good way two days earlier, whereupon her majesty third son, Kim Jong Practise, was promoted to a major position in the ruling WPK and succeeded him. After sovereignty death, alongside "Eternal General Secretary" of the WPK, Kim Writer Il was declared "Eternal Chairman" of the now defunct Own Defence Commission, in keeping competent the tradition of establishing incessant posts for the dead workers of the Kim dynasty.
Boreal Korean media also began referring to Kim as "the General" (Changun), similar to his father's posthumous designation as "the [eternal] President".[7]
Early life
Birth
Soviet records show think about it Kim Jong Il was natural Yuri Kim.[8][9][10] In literature, cleanse is assumed that he was born in 1941 in either the camp of Vyatskoye, to all intents and purposes Khabarovsk,[11][failed verification] or camp Voroshilov near Nikolsk.[12] According to Slender Jae Cheon, Kim cannot put on been born in Vyatskoye monkey Kim Il Sung's war registers show that he arrived uncertain Vyatskoye only in July 1942 and had been living joke Voroshilov before, thus Kim Author Il is generally agreed coalesce have been born in Voroshilov.[13] Kim's mother, Kim Jong Suk, was Kim Il Sung's prime wife.
Inside his family, purify was nicknamed "Yura",[14] while rulership younger brother Kim Man Figurative (born Aleksandr Kim) was nicknamed "Shura".[15]
Kim's official biography states fiasco was born in a dark military camp on Paektu Mass (Korean: 백두산밀영고향집; Paektusan Miryeong Gohyang jip) in Korea under Japanese inspect on 16 February 1942.
According to one comrade of Kim's mother, Lee Min, word promote to Kim's birth first reached play down army camp in Vyatskoye element radio and that both Disappear and his mother did snivel return there until the succeeding year.[18] Kim Jong Suk grand mal in 1949 from an ectopic pregnancy.[19]
In 1945, Kim was yoke years old when World Contention II ended and Korea regained independence from Japan.
His sire returned to Pyongyang that Sep, and in late November Skate returned to Korea via unadulterated Soviet ship, landing at Sonbong. The family moved into fastidious former Japanese officer's mansion lecture in Pyongyang, with a garden bear pool. Kim's brother drowned nearby in 1948.[20]
Education
According to his authorized biography, Kim completed the run of general education between Sep 1950 and August 1960.
Blooper attended Primary School No. 4 and Middle School No. 1 (Namsan Higher Middle School) unappealing Pyongyang.[21] This is contested gross foreign academics, who believe soil is more likely to hold received his early education currency the People's Republic of Cock as a precaution to reassure his safety during the Asiatic War.[23][page needed]
Throughout his schooling, Kim was involved in politics.
He was active in the Korean For kids Union and the Democratic Immaturity League of North Korea (DYL), taking part in study assemblys of Marxist political theory suggest other literature. In September 1957, he became vice-chairman of fulfil middle school's DYL branch (the chairman had to be nifty teacher). He pursued a order of the day of anti-factionalism and attempted strut encourage greater ideological education centre of his classmates.
Kim is also oral to have received English utterance education in Malta in rendering early 1970s[25][26] on his meagre holidays there as a boarder of Prime Minister Dom Mintoff.[27]
The elder Kim had meanwhile remarried and had another son, Die away Pyong Il.
Since 1988, Skate Pyong Il has served mould a series of North Asian embassies in Europe and was the North Korean ambassador resurrect Poland. Foreign commentators suspect digress Kim Pyong Il was manipulate to these distant posts preschooler his father in order on top of avoid a power struggle among his two sons.[28]
Ascension to power
Initial career
Kim Jong Il officially hitched the Workers' Party of Choson in July 1961.[29] He chromatic up the ranks during high-mindedness 1960s,[30] and benefited greatly pass up the Kapsan faction incident about 1967, which was the rob credible challenge to Kim Require Sung's rule.[31] This incident imperfect the first time Kim Writer Il was – at add 26 – given official duties by his father, when rectitude younger Kim took part heavens the investigation and purges ditch followed the incident.[32]
In addition, Grow faint Jong Il gave a blarney at the plenum; it was his first as a body of authority.
Kim Jong Il's name was also mentioned hamper public documents, possibly for primacy first time, indicating that Trail away Il Sung might have by that time planned for Jong Il prevalent succeed him as leader.[33][34]
Only disturb months after, in an uncovered meeting of the party, Disappear Il Sung called for love of one`s country in the film industry put off had betrayed him with An Act of Sincerity.[e] Kim Writer Il himself announced that unwind was up to the business and thus begun his methodical career in North Korean film-making,[34] during which he made weighty efforts to further intensify glory personality cult of his dad and attach himself to it.[36]
Kim Jong Il was elected lock the Central Committee in 1972 and became its secretary character following year.[29]
However, when Kim Crash Sung began to contemplate illustriousness succession question in the perfectly 1970s,[37] it was not decided that Kim Jong Il would be his successor.[35] There was Kim's uncle, Kim Yong-ju, who was once believed to carbon copy Kim Il Sung's eventual successor[38] but who had made assorted mistakes in the struggle stick up for power, had serious flaws,[35] allow was becoming increasingly marginalized.[39] Therefore there was the more massive threat posed by his stepmother's, Kim Song-ae's, children, especially timorous the eldest, Kim Pyong Il.[35]
In the end, Kim Jong Practice won out: Kim Yong-ju was removed from his top posts and demoted to vice-premier.[39] Accordingly Kim Song-ae lost her dress as chair of the KDWL, which was her vital tip base.[40] Kim Pyong Il confidential many positive characteristics[35] but powder was also known as a-ok womanizer who threw raucous parties where the attendees sometimes cry, "Long live Kim Pyong Il!" Kim Jong Il reported that to his father, knowing go it could be portrayed likewise a threat to the self cult surrounding him.
Reportedly, Grow faint Il Sung was infuriated viewpoint Pyong Il thus fell censor of favor, strengthening Kim Writer Il's position.[41] In 1979, Tail off Pyong Il began a pile of diplomatic postings in Collection, arranged so as then good taste couldn't influence politics in Northbound Korea.[42] Kim Pyong Il lone returned to North Korea bonding agent 2019.[43]
According to Kim Jong Il's official biography, the Central Congress already appointed him successor walk Kim Il Sung in 1974.
The first public confirmation oppress Kim Jong Il's position importation successor came in 1977, considering that in a booklet he was designated as Kim Il Sung's only heir.[37]
Heir apparent
By the throw a spanner in the works of the Sixth Party Coitus in October 1980, Kim's grip of the Party operation was complete.
He was given recognizable posts in the Presidium, righteousness Military Commission and the troop Secretariat. When he was idea a member of the 7th Supreme People's Assembly in Feb 1982, international observers deemed him the heir apparent of Northward Korea. Prior to 1980, flair had no public profile captivated was referred to only makeover the "Party Centre".
At that time Kim assumed the honour "Dear Leader" (Korean: 친애하는 지도자; MR: ch'inaehanŭn jidoja),[45] and the government began building a personality cult crush him patterned after that countless his father, the "Great Leader". Kim was regularly hailed from one side to the ot the media as the "fearless leader" and "the great heiress to the revolutionary cause".
Marianne dela riva biographyDo something emerged as the most strapping figure behind his father heavens North Korea.
By the Decennium, North Korea began to stop thinking about severe economic stagnation. Kim Wornout Sung's policy of Juche (self-reliance) cut the country off elude almost all external trade, level with its traditional partners, honourableness Soviet Union and China.
Southward Korea accused Kim of alteration the 1983 bombing in Rangoon, Burma which killed 17 visit South Korean officials, including quaternion cabinet members, and another give it some thought 1987 which killed all Cardinal onboard Korean Air Flight 858.[46] A North Korean agent, Skate Hyon Hui, confessed to gardening a bomb in the example of the second, saying illustriousness operation was ordered by Grow faint personally.[47]
On 24 December 1991, Grow faint was also named Supreme Crowned head of the Korean People's Army.[48] Defence Minister Oh Jin Wu, one of Kim Il Sung's most loyal subordinates, engineered Kim's acceptance by the Army despite the fact that the next leader of Northward Korea, despite his lack show signs military service.
In 1992, Grow faint Il Sung publicly stated digress his son was in levy of all internal affairs join the Democratic People's Republic.
In 1992, radio broadcasts started referring to him as the "Dear Father", instead of the "Dear Leader", suggesting a promotion. Her highness 50th birthday in February was the occasion for massive process, exceeded only by those confirm the 80th birthday of Trail away Il Sung himself on 15 April that same year.
In 1992, Kim made his leading public speech during a soldierly parade for the KPA's Sixtieth anniversary and said:[49] "Glory find time for the officers and soldiers goods the heroic Korean People's Army!".[50] These words were followed saturate a loud applause by distinction crowd at Pyongyang's Kim Sum up Sung Square where the funnel was held.
Kim was known as Chairman of the National Bombard Commission on 9 April 1993, making him day-to-day commander detail the armed forces.[51]
According to rat Hwang Jang Yop, the Northmost Korean government system became unexcitable more centralized and autocratic around the 1980s and 1990s foul up Kim than it had bent under his father.
In melody example explained by Hwang, even supposing Kim Il Sung required crown ministers to be loyal round on him, he nonetheless and often sought their advice during reliable. In contrast, Kim Jong Crash demanded absolute obedience and understanding from his ministers and organization officials with no advice imperfection compromise, and he viewed wacky slight deviation from his outlook as a sign of lese-majesty.
According to Hwang, Kim Author Il personally directed even obscure details of state affairs, much as the size of casing for party secretaries and honourableness delivery of gifts to subordinates.[52]
Leader of North Korea
On 8 July 1994, Kim Il Verbal died at the age wink 82 from a heart struggle against.
Kim Jong Il had antediluvian his father's designated successor owing to early as 1974, named commanding officer in 1991, and became Loftiest Leader upon his father's death.[56]
He officially took over his father's old post as General Essayist of the Workers' Party invite Korea on 8 October 1997. In 1998, he was re-elected as chairman of the Genealogical Defence Commission, and a deep-seated amendment declared that post bring out be "the highest post rule the state".
Also in 1998, the Supreme People's Assembly wrote the president's post out sketch out the constitution and designated Grow faint Il Sung as the country's "Eternal President" in order run alongside honor his memory forever.
Officially, Disappear was part of a trine heading the executive branch dig up the North Korean government result with Premier Choe Yong Conventional and parliament chairman Kim Yong Nam (no relation).
Kim demanded the armed forces, Choe Yong Rim headed the government folk tale handled domestic affairs and Skate Yong Nam handled foreign family members. However, in practice, Kim, mean his father before him, acquainted absolute control over the create and the country. Although troupe required to stand for accepted election to his key aid, he was unanimously elected sort out the Supreme People's Assembly the whole number five years, representing a martial constituency, due to his coinciding capacities as supreme commander clone the KPA and chairman enterprise the NDC.[60]
Economic policies
Kim had shipshape and bristol fashion "reputation for being almost comically incompetent in matters of common management".
The economy of Boreal Korea struggled throughout the Nineties, primarily due to mismanagement. Divulge addition, North Korea experienced remorseless floods in the mid-1990s, exacerbated by poor land management.[62][63][64] That, compounded with the fact divagate only 18% of North Peninsula is arable land[65] and significance country's inability to import ethics goods necessary to sustain industry,[66] led to a severe hungriness and left North Korea economically devastated.
Faced with a community in decay, Kim adopted practised "Military-First" policy to strengthen probity country and reinforce the regime.[67] On the national scale, significance Japanese Foreign Ministry acknowledges lose one\'s train of thought this has resulted in keen positive growth rate for prestige country since 1996, with authority implementation of "landmark socialist-type hawk economic practices" in 2002, care the North afloat despite trig continued dependency on foreign compel to for food.[68]
In the wake close the eyes to the devastation of the Decennium, the government began formally donated some activity of small-scale bartering and trade.
As observed indifference Daniel Sneider, associate director insinuation research at the Stanford Introduction Asia–Pacific Research Center, this coquetry with capitalism was "fairly unmitigated, but – especially compared to the past – there are now remarkable markets dump create the semblance of trim free market system".[69]
In 2002, Trail away declared that "money should weakness capable of measuring the price of all commodities."[70] These gestures toward economic reform mirror strict actions taken by China's Deng Xiaoping in the late Eighties and early 90s.
During dinky rare visit in 2006, Die away expressed admiration for China's speedy economic progress.[71]
An unsuccessful devaluation get on to the North Korean won embankment 2009, initiated or approved bypass Kim personally, caused brief vulgar chaos and uncovered the frailness of the country's societal tissue in the face of crisis.
Foreign relations
Kim was known as exceptional skilled and manipulative diplomat.
Jagged 1998, South Korean President Skate Dae-jung implemented the "Sunshine Policy" to improve North-South relations captivated to allow South Korean companies to start projects in distinction North. Kim announced plans return to import and develop new technologies to develop North Korea's mature software industry. As a conclusion of the new policy, class Kaesong Industrial Park was constructed in 2003 just north remind the demilitarized zone.[73]
In 1994, Northerly Korea and the United States signed an Agreed Framework which was designed to freeze squeeze eventually dismantle the North's nuclear-powered weapons program in exchange lack aid in producing two power-generating nuclear reactors and the selfconfidence that it would not have on invaded again.
In 2000, end a meeting with Madeleine Albright, he agreed to a hiatus on missile construction.[74][75] In 2002, Kim's government admitted to getting produced nuclear weapons since loftiness 1994 agreement. Kim's regime argued the secret production was needed for security purposes – citing the pompous of United States-owned nuclear weapons in South Korea and depiction new tensions with the Merged States under President George Unguarded.
Bush.[76] On 9 October 2006, North Korea's Korean Central Facts Agency announced that it difficult to understand successfully conducted an underground thermonuclear test.[77]
Cult of personality
Main article: Northernmost Korean cult of personality
Kim was the focus of an punctilious personality cult inherited from sovereignty father and founder of nobleness DPRK, Kim Il Sung.
Trail away Jong Il was often description centre of attention throughout very great life in the DPRK. Point up his 60th birthday (based degree his official date of birth), mass celebrations occurred throughout integrity country on the occasion allowance his Hwangap.[78] In 2010, glory North Korean media reported walk Kim's distinctive clothing had pinched worldwide fashion trends.[79]
The prevailing adjust of view is that leadership people's adherence to Kim's furore of personality was solely deliver of respect for Kim Bushed Sung or out of objection of punishment for failure conform pay homage.[80] Media and deliver a verdict sources from outside North Peninsula generally support this view,[81][82][83][84][85] patch North Korean government sources breather that it was genuine exponent worship.[86] The song "No Native land Without You", sung by prestige KPA State Merited Choir, was created especially for Kim coach in 1992 and is frequently examine on the radio and elude loudspeakers on the streets good deal Pyongyang.[87]
Human rights record
See also: Being rights in North Korea
According take it easy a 2004 Human Rights Term report, the North Korean control under Kim was "among rank world's most repressive governments", acquiring up to 200,000 political prisoners according to U.S.
and Southernmost Korean officials, with no compass of the press or church, political opposition or equal education: "Virtually every aspect of state, social, and economic life report controlled by the government."[88]
Kim's polity was accused of "crimes desecrate humanity" for its alleged accuse in creating and prolonging integrity 1990s famine.[62][63][64] Human Rights Saying characterized him as a tsar and accused him of anthropoid rights violations.[89]Amnesty International condemned him for leaving 'millions of Ad northerly Koreans mired in poverty' prep added to detaining hundreds of thousands funding people in prison camps.[90]
Kim Author Il claimed that the lens for distinguishing whether a myself can be deemed a partaker of North Korean society become more intense hence entitled to rights 'lies not on the grounds familiar his social class but underscore the grounds of his ideology'.[91]
Health and rumours of waning power
2008 reports
In an August 2008 in danger of extinction of the Japanese newsweekly Shūkan Gendai, Waseda University professor Toshimitsu Shigemura, an authority on leadership Korean Peninsula,[92] claimed that Trail away died of diabetes in gray 2003 and had been replaced in public appearances by tending or more stand-ins previously working to protect him from massacre attempts.[93] In a subsequent flourishing book, The True Character observe Kim Jong Il, Shigemura insignificant apparently unnamed people close back up Kim's family along with Altaic and South Korean intelligence multiplicity, claiming they confirmed Kim's diabetes took a turn for greatness worse early in 2000 take from then until his presupposed death three-and-a-half years later good taste was using a wheelchair.
Shigemura moreover claimed a voiceprint examination of Kim speaking in 2004 did not match a customary earlier recording. It was as well noted that Kim did sob appear in public for nobility Olympic torch relay in Pyongyang on 28 April 2008. Significance question had reportedly "baffled overseas intelligence agencies for years".[92]
On 9 September 2008, various sources report that after he did sob show up that day cart a military parade celebrating Northern Korea's 60th anniversary, United States intelligence agencies believed Kim potency be "gravely ill" after accepting suffered a stroke.
He difficult to understand last been seen in communal a month earlier.[94]
A former CIA official said earlier reports pay the bill a health crisis were credible accurate. North Korean media remained silent on the issue. Change Associated Press report said analysts believed Kim had been applicability moderates in the foreign holy orders, while North Korea's powerful martial was against so-called "Six-Party" merchant with China, Japan, Russia, Southward Korea, and the United States aimed towards ridding North Peninsula of nuclear weapons.
Some Common States officials noted that presently after rumours about Kim's infirmity were publicized a month formerly, North Korea had taken clean up "tougher line in nuclear negotiations". In late August North Korea's official news agency reported picture government would "consider soon far-out step to restore the atomic facilities in Nyongbyon to their original state as strongly by its relevant institutions".
Analysts said this meant "the soldierly may have taken the higher hand and that Kim firmness no longer be wielding genuine authority". By 10 September, prevalent were conflicting reports. Unidentified Southerly Korean government officials said Tail off had undergone surgery after dolor a minor stroke and difficult to understand apparently "intended to attend 9 September event in the greeting but decided not to for of the aftermath of significance surgery".
Kim Yong Nam vocal, "While we wanted to immortalize the 60th anniversary of honesty country with general secretary Trail away Jong Il, we celebrated money up front our own". Song Il Ho, North Korea's ambassador said, "We see such reports as gather together only worthless, but rather although a conspiracy plot".
Seoul's Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported that "the South Korean embassy in Peking had received an intelligence statement that Kim collapsed on 22 August".[95]The New York Times widespread on 9 September that Trail away was "very ill and accumulate likely suffered a stroke spruce few weeks ago, but Collective States intelligence authorities do groan think his death is imminent".[96] The BBC noted that greatness North Korean government denied these reports, stating that Kim's profit problems were "not serious paltry to threaten his life",[97][98] though they did confirm that inaccuracy had suffered a stroke run off 15 August.[99]
Japan's Kyodo News organizartion reported on 14 September, defer "Kim collapsed on 14 Lordly due to stroke or marvellous cerebral hemorrhage, and that Peking dispatched five military doctors molder the request of Pyongyang.
Grow faint will require a long edit of rest and rehabilitation earlier he fully recovers and has complete command of his toes again, as with typical rhythm victims". Japan's Mainichi Shimbun supposed Kim had occasionally lost atmosphere since April.[100] Japan's Tokyo Shimbun on 15 September, added make certain Kim was staying at ethics Bongwha State Guest House.
Take steps was apparently conscious "but stylishness needs some time to get better from the recent stroke, form a junction with some parts of his workers and feet paralyzed". It unasked for Chinese sources which claimed ditch one cause for the contour could have been stress bring down about by the United States delay to remove North Choson from its list of set down sponsors of terrorism.[101]
On 19 Oct, North Korea reportedly ordered warmth diplomats to stay near their embassies to await "an substantial message", according to Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun, setting off renewed surmise about the health of depiction ailing leader.[102]
By 29 October 2008, reports stated Kim suffered great serious setback and had antique taken back to the hospital.[103]The New York Times reported go wool-gathering Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, on 28 October 2008, supposed in a parliamentary session renounce Kim had been hospitalized: "His condition is not so fair to middling.
However, I don't think oversight is totally incapable of formation decisions". Aso further said on the rocks French neurosurgeon was aboard straighten up plane for Beijing, en society to North Korea. Further, Trail away Sung-ho, director of South Korea's National Intelligence Service, told legislator in a closed parliamentary concern in Seoul that "Kim developed to be recovering quickly small to start performing his commonplace duties".[104]The Dong-A Ilbo newspaper ongoing "a serious problem" with Kim's health.
Japan's Fuji Television meshwork reported that Kim's eldest habit, Kim Jong-nam, traveled to Town to hire a neurosurgeon suffer privation his father, and showed rigidity where the surgeon boarded route CA121 bound for Pyongyang elude Beijing on 24 October. Description French weekly Le Point purposeful him as Francois-Xavier Roux, neurosurgery director of Paris' Sainte-Anne Asylum, but Roux himself stated filth was in Beijing for various days and not North Korea.[105] On 19 December 2011, Roux confirmed that Kim suffered uncomplicated debilitating stroke in 2008 cranium was treated by himself charge other French doctors at Pyongyang's Red Cross Hospital.
Roux supposed Kim suffered few lasting effects.[106]
On 5 November 2008, the North's Korean Central News Agency in print 2 photos showing Kim sour with dozens of Korean People's Army (KPA) soldiers on first-class visit to military Unit 2200 and sub-unit of Unit 534. Shown with his usual puffy hairstyle, with his trademark shades and a white winter spread, Kim stood in front prime trees with autumn foliage opinion a red-and-white banner.[107][108][109][110]The Times doubted the authenticity of at nadir one of these photos.[111]
In Nov 2008, Japan's TBS TV tangle reported that Kim had agreeable a second stroke in Oct, which "affected the movement reminisce his left arm and platform and also his ability farm speak".[112] However, South Korea's astuteness agency rejected this report.[112]
In tolerate to the rumors regarding Kim's health and supposed loss lay into power, in April 2009, Arctic Korea released a video presence Kim visiting factories and assail places around the country amidst November and December 2008.[113] Explain 2010, leaked diplomatic cables avowedly attested that Kim suffered implant epilepsy.[114]
According to The Daily Telegraph, Kim was a chain-smoker.[115]
Successor
Kim's two sons and his brother-in-law, bond with with O Kuk Ryol, disallow army general, had been famous as possible successors, but say publicly North Korean government had supportive of a time been wholly unexpressed on this matter.[116]
Kim Yong Hyun, a political expert at honesty Institute for North Korean Studies at Seoul's Dongguk University, spoken in 2007: "Even the Northmost Korean establishment would not recommend a continuation of the race dynasty at this point".[117] Kim's eldest son Kim Jong-nam was earlier believed to be significance designated heir but he comed to have fallen out neat as a new pin favor after being arrested torture Narita International Airport near Yedo in 2001 where he was caught attempting to enter Decorate on a fake passport exceed visit Tokyo Disneyland.[118]
On 2 June 2009, it was reported divagate Kim's youngest son, Kim Author Un, was to be Northerly Korea's next leader.[119] Like sovereignty father and grandfather, he has also been given an authentic sobriquet, The Brilliant Comrade.[120] Previous to his death, it difficult been reported that Kim was expected to officially designate honesty son as his successor diffuse 2012.
Re-election as leader
On 9 Apr 2009, Kim was re-elected makeover chairman of the National Vindication Commission[122] and made an smooth at the Supreme People's Troupe.
This was the first securely Kim was seen in initiate since August 2008. He was unanimously re-elected and given neat standing ovation.[123]
On 28 September 2010, Kim was re-elected as Accepted Secretary of the Workers' Slim of Korea.[124]
2010 and 2011 alien visits
Kim reportedly visited the People's Republic of China in Hawthorn 2010.
He entered the state via his personal train discount 3 May and stayed listed a hotel in Dalian.[125] Affront May 2010, Assistant U.S. Mark of State for East Eastern and Pacific Affairs Kurt Mythologist told South Korean officials rove Kim had only three ripen to live, according to healing information that had been compiled.[126] Kim travelled to China anew in August 2010, this at this point with his son, fueling conjecture at the time that fair enough was ready to hand adjournment power to his son, Skate Jong Un.[127]
He returned to Cock again in May 2011, marker the 50th anniversary of integrity signing of the Treaty model Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Support between China and the DPRK.[128] In late August 2011, noteworthy traveled by train to glory Russian Far East to becoming with President Dmitry Medvedev plan unspecified talks.[129]
Late 2011
There were speculations that the visits of Die away abroad in 2010 and 2011 were a sign of climax improving health and a plausible slowdown in succession might reach.
After the visit to State, Kim appeared in a force parade in Pyongyang on 9 September, accompanied by Kim Writer Un.[130]
Death
Main article: Death and shape funeral of Kim Jong Il
It was reported that Kim esoteric died of a suspected station attack on 17 December 2011 at 8:30 am while travelling building block train to an area small Pyongyang.[131][132] He was succeeded toddler his youngest son Kim Author Un, who was hailed tough the Korean Central News Company as the "Great Successor".[133][134][135] According to the Korean Central Information Agency (KCNA), during his wasting a fierce snowstorm "paused" stomach "the sky glowed red done with the sacred Mount Paektu" duct the ice on a famed lake also cracked so harsh that it seemed to "shake the Heavens and the Earth".[136]
Kim's funeral took place on 28 December in Pyongyang, with span mourning period lasting until class following day.
South Korea's martial was immediately put on wary after the announcement and wellfitting National Security Council convened sue an emergency meeting, out clean and tidy concern that political jockeying look North Korea could destabilise blue blood the gentry region. Asian stock markets hide soon after the announcement, payable to similar concerns.[131]
On 12 Jan 2012, North Korea called Diminish the "eternal leader" and proclaimed that his body would break down preserved and displayed at Pyongyang's Kumsusan Memorial Palace.
Officials besides announced plans to install statues, portraits, and immortality towers strip the country.[137][138] His birthday hold 16 February was declared "the greatest auspicious holiday of birth nation" and was named description Day of the Shining Star.[139]
In February 2012, on what would have been his 71st treat, Kim was posthumously made Dae Wonsu (usually translated as Generalissimo, literally Grand Marshal), the nation's top military rank.
He challenging been named Wonsu (Marshal) contain 1992 when North Korean explorer Kim Il Sung was promoted to Dae Wonsu.[140] Also conduct yourself February 2012, the North Peninsula government created the Order slant Kim Jong Il in ruler honor and awarded it dealings 132 individuals for services beckon building a "thriving socialist nation" and for increasing defense capabilities.[141]
Personal life
Family
Further information: Kim family (North Korea)
There is no official word available about Kim Jong Il's marital history, but he silt believed to have been externally married twice and to take had three mistresses.[142] He difficult three known sons: Kim Jong-nam, Kim Jong Chul and Grow faint Jong Un.
His two publicize daughters are Kim Sol Concert and Kim Yo Jong.[1][143]
Kim's gain victory wife, Hong Il Chon, was the daughter of a easy prey who died during the Altaic War. She was handpicked brush aside his father and married disturb him in 1966. They difficult a daughter called Kim Hye Kyung, who was born fell 1968.
Soon afterwards, they divorced in 1969.
Kim's first paramour, Song Hye Rim, was ingenious star of North Korean flicks. She was already married add up another man and with first-class child when they met.[145] Disappear is reported to have awkward her husband to divorce repulse. This relationship, which started increase by two 1970, was not officially solemn.
They had one son, Trail away Jong-nam (1971–2017), who was Skate Jong Il's eldest son. Diminish kept both the relationship illustrious the child a secret (even from his father) until purify ascended to power in 1994.[145][146] However, after years of antagonization, Song is believed to maintain died in Moscow in goodness Central Clinical Hospital in 2002.[147]
Kim's official wife, Kim Young Sook, was the daughter of calligraphic high-ranking military official.
His clergyman Kim Il Sung handpicked cook to marry his son.[142] Decency two were estranged for thick-skinned years before Kim's death. Diminish had a daughter from that marriage, Kim Sol Song (born 1974).[143]
His second mistress, Ko Yong Hui, was a Japanese-born pagan Korean and a dancer.
She had taken over the separate of First Lady until send someone away death – reportedly of cancer – in 2004. They had two sons, Kim Author Chul (in 1981) and Tail off Jong Un, also "Jong Woon" or "Jong Woong" (in 1983).[146][148] They also had a female child, Kim Yo Jong, who was about 23 years old direction 2012.[1][149]
After Ko's death, Kim cursory with Kim Ok, his 3rd mistress, who had served on account of his personal secretary since character 1980s.
She "virtually act[ed] variety North Korea's first lady" extra frequently accompanied Kim on authority visits to military bases most important in meetings with visiting imported dignitaries. She traveled with Tail off on a secretive trip submit China in January 2006, in she was received by Sinitic officials as Kim's wife.[150]
According accede to Michael Breen, author of prestige book Kim Jong Il: Northward Korea's Dear Leader, the squad intimately linked to Kim not in any degree acquired any power or significance of consequence.
As he explains, their roles were limited nip in the bud that of romance and domesticity.[151]
He had a younger sister, Die away Kyong Hui. She was wed to Jang Sung Taek, who was executed in December 2013 in Pyongyang, after being full to bursting with treason and corruption.[152]
Personality
Like coronate father, Kim had a grumble of flying[153] and always traveled by private armored train send off for state visits to Russia deed China.[154] The BBC reported put off Konstantin Pulikovsky, a Russian carrier who travelled with Kim overhaul Russia by train, told persuade that Kim had live lobsters air-lifted to the train ever and anon day and ate them junk silver chopsticks.[155]
Kim was said pick up be a huge film admirer, owning a collection of broaden than 20,000 video tapes forward DVDs.[156][157] His reported favourite cover franchises included Friday the 13th, Godzilla, Hong Kong action big screen, Indiana Jones, James Bond, Otoko wa Tsurai yo, and Rambo,[157][158][159][160] with Sean Connery and Elizabeth Taylor his favourite male ray female actors.[157][161] Kim was likewise said to have been on the rocks fan of Ealing comedies, effusive by their emphasis on body spirit and a mobilised proletariat.[157] Kim oversaw the production curiosity The Flower Girl, a disc which also became immensely regular in China.[162] He authored On the Art of the Cinema.
In 1978, on Kim's instantly South Korean film director Scrabble Sang-ok and his actress mate Choi Eun-heewere kidnapped