Kim Jong-Un’s Family Legacy
Kim Jong-Un is the third ruler of North Korea, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father as the supreme leader. His family has ruled over North Korea using violence and terror for over 70 years, creating a legacy that has been marked by a ruthless communist past. The Kim dynasty has been sustained by illicit trade, including guns, drugs, counterfeit cash, and cybercrime, which bring in an estimated 2 billion a year for Kim to spend as his personal piggy bank.
Despite showing signs of modernizing by stepping out with his first lady and meeting other world leaders, Kim has perpetuated the criminal regime he inherited from his family. This was evident in the assassination of his elder half-brother, Kim Jong-Nam, who was overlooked for succession and left North Korea for a quiet life in China. His suspected role as an informant for the CIA led to his public and gruesome assassination, showcasing the lengths Kim Jong-Un will go to maintain his family’s grip on power.
Kim Jong-Un’s Modernization Efforts
Kim Jong-Un is facing a modern dictator’s dilemma, torn between modernizing North Korea and preserving the criminal regime he inherited.
Family Legacy
The Kim dynasty has been sustained by illicit trade, including guns, drugs, counterfeit cash, and cybercrime, bringing in an estimated 2 billion a year for Kim to spend as his personal piggy bank.
Assassination of Kim Jong-Nam
In 2017, Kim Jong-Nam, Kim Jong-Un’s elder half-brother, was assassinated, showcasing the lengths Kim Jong-Un will go to maintain his family’s grip on power.
The Assassination of Kim Jong-Un’s Brother
On February 13, 2017, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Kim Jong-Un’s elder half-brother, Kim Jong-Nam, was assassinated. Kim Jong-Nam, who was overlooked for succession, left North Korea for a quiet life in China. However, his suspected role as an informant for the CIA led to his public and gruesome assassination, showcasing the lengths Kim Jong-Un will go to maintain his family’s grip on power.
The two female assassins, who were recruited by a man claiming to be a TV producer, were groomed to ambush unsuspecting members of the public, ultimately leading to Kim Jong-Nam’s death. The women thought they were part of a hidden camera show, but it was a deadly nerve agent that took Kim Jong-Nam’s life.
The elaborate operation involved lookout men, a chemist to handle the nerve agent, a getaway driver, and a team leader codenamed “grandpa.” The entire operation played out like a cold war spy caper, including the disturbing fact that Kim Jong-Nam’s body was brought back to North Korea, accompanied by the same men spotted in the airport on the day he was murdered.
Kim Jong-Nam’s assassination was a message to everyone in North Korea and elsewhere that Kim Jong-Un will find you, emphasizing the ruthless nature of the regime’s grip on power.
The Rise of Kim Jong-Un’s Sister
In 2001, Kim Jong-Un’s father, Kim Jong-Il, expressed his admiration for his daughters, stating that they had the heart and intellect to be involved in politics, contrasting them with his sons, whom he described as “idle blockheads.”
Kim Yo-Jong, Kim Jong-Un’s younger sister, was born in 1988 and was initially kept secret even within North Korea until her father’s death in 2011. She gradually rose through the ranks to become her brother’s propaganda chief and the one who approves all media and press in English in North Korea, making her an indispensable figure within the regime. Her prominence increased dramatically in 2020, and she was even promoted over her own generals to the highest level of the public bureau.
Kim Yo-Jong’s role has transitioned from being in the background to being a voice of the regime. She has been described as having a unique, special, and privileged role in the North Korean regime. This is evident in her ability to express personal opinions in North Korean state media, a privilege rarely extended to anyone else, not even the supreme leader. Her rising power is also evident in her ability to take over some of her brother’s roles in party affairs and foreign relations, solidifying her position as the real power holder in Pyongyang.
Kim Yo-Jong has also taken on the role of a “bad cop,” handling the dirty work that Kim Jong-Un doesn’t want to be associated with, allowing him to maintain a cool-headed and modern image. This dual dictatorship strategy allows Kim Jong-Un to reinvent himself as a modern politician while his sister maintains order using traditional tools of fear, aggression, and discipline.
In her bid to secure the dynasty and maintain power, Kim Yo-Jong has become a key player in the regime, making her a vital figure in Kim Jong-Un’s efforts to modernize North Korea without losing control.
What is the current status of North Korea’s nuclear program under Kim Jong-Un
North Korea, under Kim Jong-Un’s leadership, has continued to develop its nuclear capabilities despite international sanctions and condemnation. The country has conducted several nuclear tests and missile launches, leading to heightened tensions in the region.
What is Kim Jong-Un’s relationship with other countries?
Kim Jong-Un’s relationship with other countries, particularly the United States and South Korea, has been characterized by periods of tension, diplomatic talks, and occasional displays of aggression, such as missile tests and nuclear threats.
Is Kim Jong-Un’s rule stable?
Kim Jong-Un’s rule appears stable on the surface due to the regime’s tight control over information and dissent. However, there have been instances of internal power struggles and purges within North Korea.
How many children does Kim Jong-Un have?
Kim Jong-Un is known to have at least three children: two daughters, Kim Ju-Ae and Kim Ju-ae, and a son whose name is not widely disclosed.
What is Kim Jong-Un known for?
Kim Jong-Un is known for his authoritarian rule, human rights abuses, nuclear ambitions, and the isolationist policies of North Korea.
