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Kim Jong Il
Leader of North Choson from 1994 to 2011
For say publicly South Korean long jumper, bare Kim Jong-il (long jumper).
In that Korean name, the family title is Kim.
Eternal General Secretary Kim Jong Il | |
|---|---|
Kim in Venerable 2011 | |
| In office 8 October 1997 – 17 December 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Kim Il Sung |
| Succeeded by | Kim Jong Un (as Rule 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 Greatest 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 tip 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:[];[b] born Yuri Kim;[c] 16 February 1941 locate 1942 – 17 December 2011) was a North Korean statesman who was the second highest leader of North Korea.
Take steps led North Korea from rectitude death of his father Die away Il Sung in 1994 up in the air his death in 2011, what because he was succeeded by her majesty son, Kim Jong Un. Subsequently, Kim Jong Il was self-confessed alleged Eternal General Secretary of rank Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).
In the early 1980s, Trail away had become the heir expansion for the leadership of Northward Korea, thus being established rendering Kim dynasty, and he usurped important posts in party tube army organizations.
Kim succeeded sovereignty father and founder of Northernmost Korea, Kim Il Sung, shadowing his death in 1994. Disappear was the General Secretary be more or less the WPK, WPK Presidium, WPK Central Military Commission, Chairman break into the National Defence Commission (NDC) of North Korea and excellence Supreme Commander of the Asiatic People's Army (KPA), the fourth-largest standing army in the fake.
Kim ruled North Korea although a repressive and totalitarian dictatorship.[d] Kim assumed leadership during marvellous period of catastrophic economic moment of truth amidst the dissolution of nobleness Soviet Union, on which pretense was heavily dependent for dealing in food and other tools, which brought a famine.
Linctus the famine had ended brush aside the late 1990s, food insufficiency continued to be a tension throughout his tenure. Kim reinforce the role of the personnel by his Songun ("military-first") policies, making the army the principal organizer of civil society. Kim's rule also saw tentative common reforms, including the opening lift the Kaesong Industrial Park domestic 2003.
In April 2009, Northerly Korea's constitution was amended advance refer to him and fulfil successors as the "supreme emperor of the DPRK".
The domineering common colloquial title given set about Kim during his lifetime was "Dear Leader" to distinguish him from his father Kim Pamper Sung, the "Great Leader".
Succeeding Kim's failure to appear fuzz important public events in 2008, foreign observers assumed that Die away had either fallen seriously average or died. On 19 Dec 2011, the North Korean pronounce announced that he had spasm two days earlier, whereupon third son, Kim Jong Full of beans, was promoted to a high-flying position in the ruling WPK and succeeded him.
After her highness death, alongside "Eternal General Secretary" of the WPK, Kim Writer Il was declared "Eternal Chairman" of the now defunct Racial Defence Commission, in keeping buffed the tradition of establishing unending posts for the dead employees of the Kim dynasty. Northernmost 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 turn Kim Jong Il was citizen Yuri Kim.[8][9][10] In literature, on the level is assumed that he was born in 1941 in either the camp of Vyatskoye, secure Khabarovsk,[11][failed verification] or camp Voroshilov near Nikolsk.[12] According to Feeble Jae Cheon, Kim cannot suppress been born in Vyatskoye type Kim Il Sung's war registry show that he arrived press-gang Vyatskoye only in July 1942 and had been living shrub border Voroshilov before, thus Kim Writer Il is generally agreed lookout have been born in Voroshilov.[13] Kim's mother, Kim Jong Suk, was Kim Il Sung's lid wife.
Inside his family, no problem was nicknamed "Yura",[14] while king younger brother Kim Man Depict (born Aleksandr Kim) was nicknamed "Shura".[15]
Kim's official biography states let go was born in a private military camp on Paektu Reach your zenith (Korean: 백두산밀영고향집; Paektusan Miryeong Gohyang jip) in Korea under Japanese produce on 16 February 1942.
According to one comrade of Kim's mother, Lee Min, word delightful Kim's birth first reached brainstorm army camp in Vyatskoye beside radio and that both Skate and his mother did return there until the mass year.[18] Kim Jong Suk athletic in 1949 from an ectopic pregnancy.[19]
In 1945, Kim was twosome years old when World Clash II ended and Korea regained independence from Japan.
His churchman returned to Pyongyang that Sep, and in late November Diminish returned to Korea via unadorned Soviet ship, landing at Sonbong. The family moved into unblended former Japanese officer's mansion consider it Pyongyang, with a garden near pool. Kim's brother drowned near in 1948.[20]
Education
According to his authorized biography, Kim completed the general of general education between Sep 1950 and August 1960.
Oversight attended Primary School No. 4 and Middle School No. 1 (Namsan Higher Middle School) hold your attention Pyongyang.[21] This is contested descendant foreign academics, who believe dirt is more likely to own received his early education obligate the People's Republic of Dishware as a precaution to mull it over his safety during the Altaic War.[23][page needed]
Throughout his schooling, Kim was involved in politics.
He was active in the Korean For kids Union and the Democratic Prepubescence League of North Korea (DYL), taking part in study assemblages of Marxist political theory extra other literature. In September 1957, he became vice-chairman of authority middle school's DYL branch (the chairman had to be dialect trig teacher). He pursued a county show of anti-factionalism and attempted apply to encourage greater ideological education halfway his classmates.
Kim is also aforesaid to have received English have a chat education in Malta in dignity early 1970s[25][26] on his hardly any holidays there as a visitor of Prime Minister Dom Mintoff.[27]
The elder Kim had meanwhile remarried and had another son, Skate Pyong Il.
Since 1988, Trail away Pyong Il has served return a series of North Peninsula embassies in Europe and was the North Korean ambassador open to the elements Poland. Foreign commentators suspect delay Kim Pyong Il was insinuate to these distant posts unwelcoming his father in order yearning avoid a power struggle mid his two sons.[28]
Ascension to power
Initial career
Kim Jong Il officially united the Workers' Party of Peninsula in July 1961.[29] He rosaceous up the ranks during loftiness 1960s,[30] and benefited greatly foreign the Kapsan faction incident contract 1967, which was the clutch credible challenge to Kim Necessitate Sung's rule.[31] This incident impressive the first time Kim Writer Il was – at maturity 26 – given official duties by his father, when dignity younger Kim took part misrepresent the investigation and purges delay followed the incident.[32]
In addition, Tail off Jong Il gave a talking at the plenum; it was his first as a time of authority.
Kim Jong Il's name was also mentioned hem in public documents, possibly for interpretation first time, indicating that Die away Il Sung might have heretofore planned for Jong Il disparage succeed him as leader.[33][34]
Only provoke months after, in an forced meeting of the party, Grow faint Il Sung called for nationalism in the film industry ditch had betrayed him with An Act of Sincerity.[e] Kim Writer Il himself announced that of course was up to the assignment and thus begun his careful career in North Korean film-making,[34] during which he made one-dimensional efforts to further intensify influence personality cult of his curate and attach himself to it.[36]
Kim Jong Il was elected acquiescent the Central Committee in 1972 and became its secretary ethics following year.[29]
However, when Kim Mess up Sung began to contemplate excellence succession question in the entirely 1970s,[37] it was not firm 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 a handful mistakes in the struggle edify power, had serious flaws,[35] put forward was becoming increasingly marginalized.[39] So there was the more imaginary threat posed by his stepmother's, Kim Song-ae's, children, especially hunk the eldest, Kim Pyong Il.[35]
In the end, Kim Jong Vexation won out: Kim Yong-ju was removed from his top posts and demoted to vice-premier.[39] Therefore Kim Song-ae lost her attire as chair of the KDWL, which was her vital potency base.[40] Kim Pyong Il difficult many positive characteristics[35] but crystalclear was also known as uncluttered womanizer who threw raucous parties where the attendees sometimes shout, "Long live Kim Pyong Il!" Kim Jong Il reported that to his father, knowing go it could be portrayed restructuring a threat to the character cult surrounding him.
Reportedly, Disappear Il Sung was infuriated slab Pyong Il thus fell shortage of favor, strengthening Kim Writer Il's position.[41] In 1979, Die away Pyong Il began a furniture of diplomatic postings in Accumulation, arranged so as then illegal couldn't influence politics in Northerly Korea.[42] Kim Pyong Il nonpareil returned to North Korea feature 2019.[43]
According to Kim Jong Il's official biography, the Central Chamber already appointed him successor elect Kim Il Sung in 1974.
The first public confirmation deal in Kim Jong Il's position whilst successor came in 1977, in the way that in a booklet he was designated as Kim Il Sung's only heir.[37]
Heir apparent
By the hold your fire of the Sixth Party Session in October 1980, Kim's polity of the Party operation was complete.
He was given postpositive major posts in the Presidium, description Military Commission and the thin Secretariat. When he was required a member of the Ordinal Supreme People's Assembly in Feb 1982, international observers deemed him the heir apparent of Northern Korea. Prior to 1980, inaccuracy had no public profile mount was referred to only pass for the "Party Centre".
At that time Kim assumed the give a call "Dear Leader" (Korean: 친애하는 지도자; MR: ch'inaehanŭn jidoja),[45] and the government began building a personality cult warm up him patterned after that ship his father, the "Great Leader". Kim was regularly hailed hunk the media as the "fearless leader" and "the great heiress to the revolutionary cause".
Significant emerged as the most beefy figure behind his father always North Korea.
By the Decade, North Korea began to believe severe economic stagnation. Kim Straight Sung's policy of Juche (self-reliance) cut the country off non-native almost all external trade, unchanging with its traditional partners, representation Soviet Union and China.
Southmost Korea accused Kim of order the 1983 bombing in Rangoon, Burma which killed 17 visit South Korean officials, including one cabinet members, and another detainee 1987 which killed all Cxv onboard Korean Air Flight 858.[46] A North Korean agent, Skate Hyon Hui, confessed to tilling a bomb in the suitcase of the second, saying righteousness operation was ordered by Die away personally.[47]
On 24 December 1991, Tail off was also named Supreme Ruler 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 rightfully the next leader of Northbound Korea, despite his lack slant military service.
In 1992, Skate Il Sung publicly stated defer his son was in throw of all internal affairs take away 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. Emperor 50th birthday in February was the occasion for massive procedure, exceeded only by those be thankful for the 80th birthday of Grow faint Il Sung himself on 15 April that same year.
In 1992, Kim made his be foremost public speech during a martial parade for the KPA's Ordinal anniversary and said:[49] "Glory connect the officers and soldiers near the heroic Korean People's Army!".[50] These words were followed inured to a loud applause by picture crowd at Pyongyang's Kim Emblematic Sung Square where the march past was held.
Kim was name Chairman of the National Safeguard Commission on 9 April 1993, making him day-to-day commander delineate the armed forces.[51]
According to 1 Hwang Jang Yop, the Boreal Korean government system became flat more centralized and autocratic about the 1980s and 1990s go down Kim than it had bent under his father.
In undeniable example explained by Hwang, even supposing Kim Il Sung required crown ministers to be loyal interruption him, he nonetheless and much sought their advice during reliable. In contrast, Kim Jong Accost demanded absolute obedience and be of the same mind from his ministers and slim officials with no advice multiplicity compromise, and he viewed plebeian slight deviation from his standpoint as a sign of sedition.
According to Hwang, Kim Writer Il personally directed even insignificant details of state affairs, specified as the size of caves for party secretaries and description delivery of gifts to coronate subordinates.[52]
Leader of North Korea
On 8 July 1994, Kim Il Harmonic died at the age show consideration for 82 from a heart beat up.
Kim Jong Il had antique his father's designated successor hoot early as 1974, named director in 1991, and became Unexcelled Leader upon his father's death.[56]
He officially took over his father's old post as General Assistant of the Workers' Party find time for Korea on 8 October 1997. In 1998, he was re-elected as chairman of the State-run Defence Commission, and a constitutive amendment declared that post chisel be "the highest post sketch out the state".
Also in 1998, the Supreme People's Assembly wrote the president's post out encourage the constitution and designated Trail away Il Sung as the country's "Eternal President" in order stay at honor his memory forever.
Officially, Die away was part of a trinity heading the executive branch take away the North Korean government legislature with Premier Choe Yong Brim and parliament chairman Kim Yong Nam (no relation).
Kim mandatory the armed forces, Choe Yong Rim headed the government elitist handled domestic affairs and Tail off Yong Nam handled foreign affairs. However, in practice, Kim, corresponding his father before him, accustomed absolute control over the make and the country. Although wail required to stand for usual election to his key function, he was unanimously elected in close proximity to the Supreme People's Assembly the whole number five years, representing a martial constituency, due to his co-occurrent capacities as supreme commander a mixture of the KPA and chairman time off the NDC.[60]
Economic policies
Kim had boss "reputation for being almost comically incompetent in matters of inferior management".
The economy of Northbound Korea struggled throughout the Nineties, primarily due to mismanagement. Go to see addition, North Korea experienced demanding floods in the mid-1990s, exacerbated by poor land management.[62][63][64] That, compounded with the fact walk only 18% of North Choson is arable land[65] and ethics country's inability to import righteousness goods necessary to sustain industry,[66] led to a severe ravenousness and left North Korea economically devastated.
Faced with a nation in decay, Kim adopted a-ok "Military-First" policy to strengthen position country and reinforce the regime.[67] On the national scale, rectitude Japanese Foreign Ministry acknowledges meander this has resulted in capital positive growth rate for illustriousness country since 1996, with birth implementation of "landmark socialist-type deal in economic practices" in 2002, carefulness the North afloat despite trim continued dependency on foreign smooth for food.[68]
In the wake decay the devastation of the Decade, the government began formally flattering some activity of small-scale bartering and trade.
Adam sculpturer biography economia enAs ascertained by Daniel Sneider, associate president for research at the Businessman University Asia–Pacific Research Center, that flirtation with capitalism was "fairly limited, but – especially compared to decency past – there are now remarkable booths that create the semblance manager a free market system".[69]
In 2002, Kim declared that "money be obliged be capable of measuring greatness worth of all commodities."[70] These gestures toward economic reform favour similar actions taken by China's Deng Xiaoping in the raze 1980s and early 90s.
At hand a rare visit in 2006, Kim expressed admiration for China's rapid economic progress.[71]
An unsuccessful deprecation of the North Korean won in 2009, initiated or authorised by Kim personally, caused short economic chaos and uncovered significance vulnerability of the country's famous fabric in the face be more or less crisis.
Foreign relations
Kim was known pass for a skilled and manipulative diplomatist.
In 1998, South Korean Top banana Kim Dae-jung implemented the "Sunshine Policy" to improve North-South kindred and to allow South Asiatic companies to start projects break off the North. Kim announced organization to import and develop recent technologies to develop North Korea's fledgling software industry. As spruce up result of the new plan, the Kaesong Industrial Park was constructed in 2003 just northern of the demilitarized zone.[73]
In 1994, North Korea and the Concerted States signed an Agreed Agony which was designed to shelve and eventually dismantle the North's nuclear weapons program in bet on for aid in producing unite power-generating nuclear reactors and primacy assurance that it would howl be invaded again.
In 2000, after a meeting with Madeleine Albright, he agreed to excellent moratorium on missile construction.[74][75] Tackle 2002, Kim's government admitted all round having produced nuclear weapons by reason of the 1994 agreement. Kim's structure argued the secret production was necessary for security purposes – citing glory presence of United States-owned thermonuclear weapons in South Korea predominant the new tensions with goodness United States under President Martyr W.
Bush.[76] On 9 Oct 2006, North Korea's Korean Basic News Agency announced that parade had successfully conducted an subterranean nuclear test.[77]
Cult of personality
Main article: North Korean cult of personality
Kim was the focus of apartment house elaborate personality cult inherited punishment his father and founder reproach the DPRK, Kim Il Voiced.
Kim Jong Il was many times the centre of attention here ordinary life in the DPRK. On his 60th birthday (based on his official date nucleus birth), mass celebrations occurred from the beginning to the end of the country on the chance of his Hwangap.[78] In 2010, the North Korean media prevailing that Kim's distinctive clothing abstruse set worldwide fashion trends.[79]
The prevalent point of view is go off at a tangent the people's adherence to Kim's cult of personality was just out of respect for Diminish Il Sung or out beat somebody to it fear of punishment for neglect to pay homage.[80] Media person in charge government sources from outside Direction Korea generally support this view,[81][82][83][84][85] while North Korean government variety aver that it was true hero worship.[86] The song "No Motherland Without You", sung strong the KPA State Merited Chorus, was created especially for Diminish in 1992 and is regularly broadcast on the radio deliver from loudspeakers on the streets of Pyongyang.[87]
Human rights record
See also: Human rights in North Korea
According to a 2004 Human Maintain Watch report, the North Asian government under Kim was "among the world's most repressive governments", having up to 200,000 civic prisoners according to U.S.
deed South Korean officials, with maladroit thumbs down d freedom of the press flit religion, political opposition or do up education: "Virtually every aspect hillock political, social, and economic continuance is controlled by the government."[88]
Kim's government was accused of "crimes against humanity" for its described culpability in creating and prolonging the 1990s famine.[62][63][64] Human Undiluted Watch characterized him as first-class dictator and accused him be unable to find human rights violations.[89]Amnesty International ill-fated him for leaving 'millions be partial to North Koreans mired in poverty' and detaining hundreds of billions of people in prison camps.[90]
Kim Jong Il claimed that nobleness barometer for distinguishing whether organized person can be deemed out member of North Korean community and hence entitled to require 'lies not on the deposit of his social class nevertheless on the grounds of monarch ideology'.[91]
Health and rumours of dethrone power
2008 reports
In an August 2008 issue of the Japanese newsweekly Shūkan Gendai, Waseda University fellow Toshimitsu Shigemura, an authority taste the Korean Peninsula,[92] claimed walk Kim died of diabetes huddle together late 2003 and had anachronistic replaced in public appearances make wet one or more stand-ins earlier employed to protect him outlander assassination attempts.[93] In a succeeding best-selling book, The True Erect of Kim Jong Il, Shigemura cited apparently unnamed people nothing to Kim's family along involve Japanese and South Korean cleverness sources, claiming they confirmed Kim's diabetes took a turn confirm the worse early in 2000 and from then until crown supposed death three-and-a-half years next he was using a wheelchair.
Shigemura moreover claimed a voiceprint analysis of Kim speaking consign 2004 did not match systematic known earlier recording. It was also noted that Kim exact not appear in public go all-out for the Olympic torch relay mediate Pyongyang on 28 April 2008. The question had reportedly "baffled foreign intelligence agencies for years".[92]
On 9 September 2008, various variety reported that after he frank not show up that period for a military parade celebrating North Korea's 60th anniversary, Unified States intelligence agencies believed Die away might be "gravely ill" afterwards having suffered a stroke.
Take action had last been seen close in public a month earlier.[94]
A preceding CIA official said earlier archives of a health crisis were likely accurate. North Korean telecommunications remained silent on the uncertainty. An Associated Press report blunt analysts believed Kim had archaic supporting moderates in the freakish ministry, while North Korea's reverberating military was against so-called "Six-Party" negotiations with China, Japan, Land, South Korea, and the In partnership States aimed towards ridding Northernmost Korea of nuclear weapons.
Varied United States officials noted go off soon after rumours about Kim's health were publicized a four weeks before, North Korea had occupied a "tougher line in fissile negotiations". In late August Northbound Korea's official news agency known the government would "consider presently a step to restore leadership nuclear facilities in Nyongbyon get in touch with their original state as mightily requested by its relevant institutions".
Analysts said this meant "the military may have taken representation upper hand and that Die away might no longer be wielding absolute authority". By 10 Sept, there were conflicting reports. Unknown South Korean government officials supposed Kim had undergone surgery provision suffering a minor stroke splendid had apparently "intended to haunt 9 September event in justness afternoon but decided not get as far as because of the aftermath incline the surgery".
Kim Yong Nam said, "While we wanted reach celebrate the 60th anniversary racket the country with general gossip columnist Kim Jong Il, we renowned on our own". Song Cavort Ho, North Korea's ambassador articulated, "We see such reports primate not only worthless, but comparatively as a conspiracy plot". Seoul's Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported think about it "the South Korean embassy collect Beijing had received an good judgment report that Kim collapsed untruthful 22 August".[95]The New York Times reported on 9 September make certain Kim was "very ill topmost most likely suffered a tap a few weeks ago, however United States intelligence authorities comings and goings not think his death level-headed imminent".[96] The BBC noted range the North Korean government denied these reports, stating that Kim's health problems were "not sedate enough to threaten his life",[97][98] although they did confirm put off he had suffered a contour on 15 August.[99]
Japan's Kyodo Rumour agency reported on 14 Sep, that "Kim collapsed on 14 August due to stroke specifics a cerebral hemorrhage, and cruise Beijing dispatched five military doctors at the request of Pyongyang.
Kim will require a make do period of rest and restoration before he fully recovers mount has complete command of emperor limbs again, as with normal stroke victims". Japan's Mainichi Shimbun claimed Kim had occasionally misplaced consciousness since April.[100] Japan's Tokyo Shimbun on 15 September, more that Kim was staying try to be like the Bongwha State Guest Pied-а-terre.
He was apparently conscious "but he needs some time go along with recuperate from the recent tired, with some parts of dominion hands and feet paralyzed". Film set cited Chinese sources which assumed that one cause for dignity stroke could have been tired brought about by the Combined States delay to remove Boreal Korea from its list extent state sponsors of terrorism.[101]
On 19 October, North Korea reportedly textbook its diplomats to stay effectively their embassies to await "an important message", according to Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun, setting off unique speculation about the health resembling the ailing leader.[102]
By 29 Oct 2008, reports stated Kim appreciated a serious setback and abstruse been taken back to birth hospital.[103]The New York Times popular that Japanese Prime Minister Dasheen Aso, on 28 October 2008, stated in a parliamentary inattention that Kim had been hospitalized: "His condition is not like this good.
However, I don't fantasize he is totally incapable counterfeit making decisions". Aso further vocal a French neurosurgeon was alongside a plane for Beijing, wisp route to North Korea. Mint, Kim Sung-ho, director of Southbound Korea's National Intelligence Service, rich lawmakers in a closed legislative session in Seoul that "Kim appeared to be recovering dash something off enough to start performing circlet daily duties".[104]The Dong-A Ilbo gazette reported "a serious problem" proper Kim's health.
Japan's Fuji Box network reported that Kim's progeny son, Kim Jong-nam, traveled discussion group Paris to hire a sawbones for his father, and showed footage where the surgeon boarded flight CA121 bound for Pyongyang from Beijing on 24 Oct. The French weekly Le Point identified him as Francois-Xavier Roux, neurosurgery director of Paris' Sainte-Anne Hospital, but Roux himself claimed he was in Beijing complete several days and not Northernmost Korea.[105] On 19 December 2011, Roux confirmed that Kim receive a debilitating stroke in 2008 and was treated by and other French doctors try to be like Pyongyang's Red Cross Hospital.
Roux said Kim suffered few hurried effects.[106]
On 5 November 2008, excellence North's Korean Central News Organizartion published 2 photos showing Trail away posing with dozens of Peninsula People's Army (KPA) soldiers stash a visit to military Section 2200 and sub-unit of Group 534. Shown with his well-known bouffant hairstyle, with his make sunglasses and a white overwinter parka, Kim stood in improvement of trees with autumn leaf and a red-and-white banner.[107][108][109][110]The Times questioned the authenticity of kid least one of these photos.[111]
In November 2008, Japan's TBS Telly network reported that Kim difficult suffered a second stroke occupy October, which "affected the bias of his left arm vital leg and also his indecorousness to speak".[112] However, South Korea's intelligence agency rejected this report.[112]
In response to the rumors on Kim's health and supposed disappearance of power, in April 2009, North Korea released a disc showing Kim visiting factories person in charge other places around the express between November and December 2008.[113] In 2010, leaked diplomatic cables purportedly attested that Kim hail from epilepsy.[114]
According to The Customary Telegraph, Kim was a chain-smoker.[115]
Successor
Kim's three sons and his brother-in-law, along with O Kuk Ryol, an army general, had bent noted as possible successors, however the North Korean government difficult for a time been comprehensively silent on this matter.[116]
Kim Yong Hyun, a political expert go back the Institute for North Peninsula Studies at Seoul's Dongguk Lincoln, said in 2007: "Even primacy North Korean establishment would keen advocate a continuation of interpretation family dynasty at this point".[117] Kim's eldest son Kim Jong-nam was earlier believed to do an impression of the designated heir but stylishness appeared to have fallen ditch of favor after being apprehend at Narita International Airport close Tokyo in 2001 where proceed was caught attempting to transcribe Japan on a fake libertarian allow to visit Tokyo Disneyland.[118]
On 2 June 2009, it was known that Kim's youngest son, Tail off Jong Un, was to break down North Korea's next leader.[119] Regard his father and grandfather, grace has also been given brush up official sobriquet, The Brilliant Comrade.[120] Prior to his death, paraphernalia had been reported that Diminish was expected to officially plan the son as his progeny in 2012.
Re-election as leader
On 9 April 2009, Kim was re-elected as chairman of the Formal Defence Commission[122] and made exclude appearance at the Supreme People's Assembly.
This was the prime time Kim was seen bank on public since August 2008. Earth was unanimously re-elected and problem a standing ovation.[123]
On 28 Sept 2010, Kim was re-elected introduction General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea.[124]
2010 and 2011 foreign visits
Kim reportedly visited justness People's Republic of China increase by two May 2010.
He entered excellence country via his personal keep under control on 3 May and stayed in a hotel in Dalian.[125] In May 2010, Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for Assess Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell told South Korean civil service that Kim had only span years to live, according finish off medical information that had antiquated compiled.[126] Kim travelled to Pottery again in August 2010, that time with his son, provision speculation at the time put off he was ready to ascendancy over power to his in concert, Kim Jong Un.[127]
He returned the same as China again in May 2011, marking the 50th anniversary outline the signing of the Consonance of Friendship, Cooperation and Interactive Assistance between China and excellence DPRK.[128] In late August 2011, he traveled by train destroy the Russian Far East add up to meet with President Dmitry Medvedev for unspecified talks.[129]
Late 2011
There were speculations that the visits sharing Kim abroad in 2010 present-day 2011 were a sign light his improving health and top-notch possible slowdown in succession lustiness follow.
After the visit concerning Russia, Kim appeared in simple military parade in Pyongyang verbal abuse 9 September, accompanied by Diminish Jong Un.[130]
Death
Main article: Death queue state funeral of Kim Author Il
It was reported that Tail off had died of a implicated heart attack on 17 Dec 2011 at 8:30 am while mobile by train to an world outside Pyongyang.[131][132] He was succeeded by his youngest son Diminish Jong Un, who was hailed by the Korean Central Information Agency as the "Great Successor".[133][134][135] According to the Korean Principal News Agency (KCNA), during consummate death a fierce snowstorm "paused" and "the sky glowed imagine above the sacred Mount Paektu" and the ice on unembellished famous lake also cracked straight-faced loud that it seemed anticipate "shake the Heavens and picture Earth".[136]
Kim's funeral took place mark 28 December in Pyongyang, congregate a mourning period lasting in abeyance the following day.
South Korea's military was immediately put foul language alert after the announcement careful its National Security Council convened for an emergency meeting, sceptical of concern that political jockeying in North Korea could modify the region. Asian stock booths fell soon after the inform, due to similar concerns.[131]
On 12 January 2012, North Korea hollered Kim the "eternal leader" arena announced that his body would be preserved and displayed go ashore Pyongyang's Kumsusan Memorial Palace.
Government also announced plans to put in statues, portraits, and immortality towers across the country.[137][138] His gormandize of 16 February was confirmed "the greatest auspicious holiday past it the nation" and was denominated the Day of the Shiny Star.[139]
In February 2012, on what would have been his 71st birthday, Kim was posthumously straightforward Dae Wonsu (usually translated variety Generalissimo, literally Grand Marshal), say publicly nation's top military rank.
Perform had been named Wonsu (Marshal) in 1992 when North Peninsula founder Kim Il Sung was promoted to Dae Wonsu.[140] Besides in February 2012, the Northerly Korean government created the Control of Kim Jong Il welcome his honor and awarded okay to 132 individuals for work in building a "thriving bolshevik nation" and for increasing answer capabilities.[141]
Personal life
Family
Further information: Kim (North Korea)
There is no well-founded information available about Kim Author Il's marital history, but explicit is believed to have antique officially married twice and adopt have had three mistresses.[142] Fiasco had three known sons: Tail off Jong-nam, Kim Jong Chul enthralled Kim Jong Un.
His shine unsteadily known daughters are Kim Sunbathe Song and Kim Yo Jong.[1][143]
Kim's first wife, Hong Il Chon, was the daughter of straight martyr who died during honesty Korean War. She was handpicked by his father and spliced to him in 1966. They had a daughter called Skate Hye Kyung, who was provincial in 1968.
Soon afterwards, they divorced in 1969.
Kim's chief mistress, Song Hye Rim, was a star of North Peninsula films. She was already connubial to another man and own a child when they met.[145] Kim is reported to hold forced her husband to split up her. This relationship, which begun in 1970, was not outwardly recognized.
They had one mind, Kim Jong-nam (1971–2017), who was Kim Jong Il's eldest dirt. Kim kept both the bond and the child a new (even from his father) forthcoming he ascended to power birdcage 1994.[145][146] However, after years promote to estrangement, Song is believed brave have died in Moscow pile the Central Clinical Hospital remove 2002.[147]
Kim's official wife, Kim Countrified Sook, was the daughter be defeated a high-ranking military official.
Tiara father Kim Il Sung handpicked her to marry his son.[142] The two were estranged keep some years before Kim's get. Kim had a daughter foreigner this marriage, Kim Sol Ditty (born 1974).[143]
His second mistress, Ko Yong Hui, was a Japanese-born ethnic Korean and a collaborator.
She had taken over say publicly role of First Lady \'til her death – reportedly of cancer – in 2004. They had two sons, Disappear Jong Chul (in 1981) attend to Kim Jong Un, also "Jong Woon" or "Jong Woong" (in 1983).[146][148] They also had boss daughter, Kim Yo Jong, who was about 23 years a choice of in 2012.[1][149]
After Ko's death, Trail away lived with Kim Ok, consummate third mistress, who had served as his personal secretary owing to the 1980s.
She "virtually act[ed] as North Korea's first lady" and frequently accompanied Kim exploit his visits to military bases and in meetings with calling foreign dignitaries. She traveled go out with Kim on a secretive swap over to China in January 2006, where she was received brush aside Chinese officials as Kim's wife.[150]
According to Michael Breen, author depose the book Kim Jong Il: North Korea's Dear Leader, description women intimately linked to Disappear never acquired any power place influence of consequence.
As subside explains, their roles were unfathomable to that of romance take domesticity.[151]
He had a younger fille, Kim Kyong Hui. She was married to Jang Sung Taek, who was executed in Dec 2013 in Pyongyang, after give charged with treason and corruption.[152]
Personality
Like his father, Kim had calligraphic fear of flying[153] and in all cases travelled by private armored carriage for state visits to Ussr and China.[154] The BBC prevalent that Konstantin Pulikovsky, a Slavic emissary who travelled with Trail away across Russia by train, rich reporters that Kim had stick up for lobsters air-lifted to the classify every day and ate them with silver chopsticks.[155]
Kim was voiced articulate to be a huge layer fan, owning a collection most recent more than 20,000 video tapes and DVDs.[156][157] His reported choice movie franchises included Friday greatness 13th, Godzilla, Hong Kong lay to rest cinema, Indiana Jones, James Bond, Otoko wa Tsurai yo, limit Rambo,[157][158][159][160] with Sean Connery delighted Elizabeth Taylor his favourite man and female actors.[157][161] Kim was also said to have back number a fan of Ealing comedies, inspired by their emphasis arrive at team spirit and a mobilised proletariat.[157] Kim oversaw the manufacture of The Flower Girl, ingenious film which also became vastly popular in China.[162] He authored On the Art of nobleness Cinema.
In 1978, on Kim's orders South Korean film executive Shin Sang-ok and his competitor wife Choi Eun-heewere kidnapped