Kim Jong Un has been the supreme leader of North Korea since 2011. He is the third son of Kim Jong Il and the grandson of Kim Il Sung. Kim rules North Korea as a totalitarian state with a cult of personality. He has been accused of crimes against humanity and ordered purges and executions of officials. Kim has expanded the country's nuclear weapons program, leading to tensions with other countries. He has taken part in summits with South Korea and the US, but negotiations have not led to progress on reunification or nuclear disarmament.
During the mid-1950s through the 1960s, the Soviet Union provides economic and military assistance to North Korea. However, their relations deteriorate as Kim Il Sung purges pro-Soviet and pro-Chinese factions within the North Korean leadership to consolidate his power.
In February 1974, Kim Il-sung designates his eldest son, Kim Jong-il, as his successor.
North Korean authorities state that Kim Jong Un was born in 1982, but South Korean intelligence officials believe that the actual date is a year later, possibly changed for symbolic reasons.
Kim Jong-Un, the current leader of North Korea, was born on January 8, 1984 in North Korea. He is the youngest son of Kim Jong Il and has been the head of state since 2011.
At the end of the Cold War in 1991, Moscow reduces its aid to North Korea, marking a decline in their relations.
Pyongyang rejects inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and announces its intent to leave the NPT.
Kim Il Sung, who led North Korea and developed a pervasive personality cult, passed away in 1994, leading to a transition of power within the country.
In late February 2018, Reuters reported that Kim and his father had used forged passports—supposedly issued by Brazil and dated 26 February 1996—to apply for visas in various countries. Both 10-year passports carry a stamp saying 'Embassy of Brazil in Prague'. Kim Jong Un's passport records the name 'Josef Pwag' and a date of birth of 1 February 1983.
Kim Jong Un attended the Liebefeld Steinhölzli state school in Köniz, near Bern, under the name 'Pak-un' or 'Un-pak' from 1998 until 2000. He first attended a special class for foreign-language children and later attended the regular classes of the 6th, 7th, 8th and part of the final 9th year, leaving the school abruptly in the autumn of 2000. He was described as a well-integrated and ambitious student who liked to play basketball, but his grades and attendance rating were reported to have been poor.
Kim Jong-Un reportedly studied at Kim Il-Sung National War College in P’yŏngyang, North Korea from 2002 to 2007. His education and military training played a significant role in his rise to power as the leader of North Korea.
On 15 January 2009, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that Kim Jong Il had appointed Kim Jong Un to be his successor.
On 8 March 2009, BBC News reported that Kim Jong Un was on the ballot for 2009 elections to the Supreme People's Assembly, the rubber stamp parliament of North Korea.
Kim Jong Un was promoted to the equivalent of a four-star general in the United States and was named vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and appointed to the Central Committee of the Workers' Party. This marked the beginning of his succession to Kim Jong Il.
Kim Jong Un made his first public appearance at a massive military parade in Pyongyang, coinciding with the 65th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party. This event also symbolized his official introduction to the world as the successor to his father, Kim Jong Il.
Kim Jong Il died, and it was initially unclear whether Kim Jong Un would take full power. He was later hailed as the great successor and was made chairman of the Kim Jong Il funeral committee.
Kim Jong Un was publicly declared Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army, solidifying his position as the top leader of the military.
On December 30, 2011, Kim Jong Un was named supreme commander of North Korea's military and took up several other leadership posts at the ruling Workers’ Party and the National Defence Commission.
A large rally was held by the Korean People's Army in front of the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun to honor Kim Jong Un and to demonstrate loyalty.
Kim Jong Un was elected to the 4th Conference of the Workers' Party of Korea, further consolidating his leadership within the party.
Kim Jong Un was appointed as leader of the party under the newly created title of First Secretary and was also appointed First Chairman of the National Defence Commission.
On the 100th anniversary of Kim Il Sung's birth in 2012, Kim Jong Un declared that the era of being blackmailed with nuclear bombs by enemies was over.
On July 25, 2012, North Korean state media reported for the first time that Kim Jong Un was married to Ri Sol Ju. The marriage was believed to have been arranged hastily after Kim Jong Il's stroke in 2008, and they had a son in 2010. Dennis Rodman later reported that they had a second newborn child, a daughter named Ju Ae.
On 26 February 2013, Kim Jong Un met Dennis Rodman, leading to speculation about Rodman being the first American whom Kim had met.
At a plenary meeting in March 2013, Kim Jong Un announced North Korea's adoption of a new strategic line focusing on economic construction and simultaneous development of nuclear armed forces.
Kim Jong Un was elected to a seat in the Supreme People's Assembly and subsequently elected first chairman of the National Defence Commission.
In September 2015, the South Korean government commented that Kim appeared to have gained 30 kg in body fat over the previous five years.
In December 2015, Kim Jong Un declared that his family had turned North Korea into a powerful nuclear weapons state, ready to defend its sovereignty with A-bombs and H-bombs.
North Korea conducted a nuclear weapons test in January 2016, as part of its continued efforts to develop nuclear weapons.
The 7th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) was organized in May 2016, marking the first congress since 1980. During this event, Kim Jong Un became the Chairman of the WPK, which replaced the First Secretary of the WPK.
North Korea conducted a nuclear weapons test in September 2016, demonstrating its commitment to nuclear weapons development.
In his New Year's Day speech in 2017, Kim Jong Un announced that North Korea was in the 'last stage' of preparations to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
On January 11, 2017, the US Treasury Department sanctions Kim Jong Un in response to alleged human rights abuses and censorship activities.
On February 13, 2017, Kim Jong Nam, the exiled half-brother of Kim Jong Un, was assassinated with the nerve agent VX while walking through Terminal 2 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Kim Jong Un is widely believed to have ordered the assassination.
Kim Jong Un inspects the long-range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12, also known as Mars-12, in an undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on May 15, 2017.
Army lieutenant general Hyon Ju Song was reportedly executed by a firing squad for abusing authority, profiting the enemy, and engaging in antiparty acts. He had ordered the distribution of extra food and fuel to his troops, which was seen as a betrayal by the government.
On 4 July 2017, North Korea conducted the first publicly announced flight test of its ICBM Hwasong-14, timed to coincide with the U.S. Independence Day celebrations.
On 3 September 2017, North Korea conducted its sixth nuclear test, demonstrating its continued efforts to advance its nuclear capabilities.
On 28 November 2017, North Korea tested the Hwasong-15 missile, which became the first ballistic missile developed by North Korea theoretically capable of reaching all of the US mainland.
Kim Jong Un attends the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, marking the first visit by a member of North Korea's ruling dynasty to the South since the Korean War.
Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's sister, meets with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in the Presidential Blue House in Seoul and invites Moon Jae-in to visit Pyongyang for a summit meeting. She also attended the Winter Olympics and had a scheduled meeting with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, which was reportedly cancelled.
Two top aides of South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Chung Eui-yong and Suh Hoon, meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. This marks the first South Korean envoys sent to North Korea in 11 years.
North Korea expresses its willingness to begin earnest negotiations with the U.S. to discuss denuclearization issues, as long as its security is guaranteed. This comes after a five-point agreement reached during the visit to North Korea by Kim Jong Un and two South Korean envoys.
South Korean National Security Advisor Chung Eui-yong briefs senior White House officials and President Trump on the high-level discussions between North Korean and South Korean officials, including the commitments made by Kim Jong Un not to conduct nuclear or ballistic missile tests while talks with the United States take place. Trump accepts Kim Jong Un's invitation to meet by May to achieve permanent denuclearization.
Kim Jong Un visits Beijing, meeting with President Xi Jinping. This marks his first trip outside of North Korea since taking power in 2011 and his first meeting with another head of state.
Kim Jong Un becomes the first North Korean leader to cross the border south for a summit with South Korea’s Moon Jae-in at the truce village of Panmunjom. The summit marks the first meeting between the heads of the Koreas in eleven years. They pledge to convert the armistice that ended the hostilities of the Korean War into a formal peace treaty and confirmed the shared goal of achieving a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.
U.S. officials visit North Korea to make arrangements for the upcoming summit between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump. The meeting is crucial in setting the stage for the historic diplomatic event.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo holds discussions with North Korean General Kim Yong Chol in New York to prepare for President Trump's anticipated summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Pompeo emphasizes the U.S. objective of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
North Korean General Kim Yong Chol meets with President Trump and Secretary of State Pompeo at the White House, delivering a letter from Kim Jong Un. President Trump confirms the scheduled summit with North Korea and emphasizes that it marks the beginning of a diplomatic process.
Kim arrived in Singapore and met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
U.S. President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hold a historic summit at the Capella hotel in Singapore. They sign a joint declaration committing to establish new relations, build a peace regime, and work towards denuclearization on the Korean peninsula.
Kim Jong Un visits China to meet with President Xi Jinping for the third time since March. The leaders discuss Kim's summit with Trump, indicating the significance of the diplomatic engagement.
The White House reveals Kim Jong Un's proposal for a second summit.
Moon and Kim hail progress toward a nuclear-free Korea.
Kim Jong Un expresses readiness to meet Trump again but warns of taking a new path.
Kim Jong Un attends the US-North Korea summit in Hanoi, Vietnam.
North Korean state media announces Kim Jong Un's election to the Supreme People’s Assembly.
Kim held his first summit with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok, Russia.
Kim again met with Trump, shaking hands warmly and expressing hope for peace. Kim and Trump then joined Moon Jae-in for a brief chat.
Kim Jong Un inspects a large, new submarine, possibly designed for submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM).
Kim Jong Un oversees the test of a new “super-large” multiple launch rocket system (MLRS).
Talks in Stockholm began between US and North Korean negotiating teams but broke down after one day.
Trump says he and Kim get along well and “like” and “respect” each other.
Kim Yo Jong, head of the Central Committee of the Worker’s Party of Korea, accuses South Korean authorities of conniving the distribution of anti-DPRK leaflets along the border, leading to heightened tensions between North and South Korea.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un chairs a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Worker’s Party of Korea and announces plans to cut all communication lines with Seoul, blaming South Korean authorities for hostile acts against the DPRK.
Kwon Jong Gun, leader of the North Korean Foreign Ministry’s department of U.S. affairs, issues a warning to the United States against interfering in the deteriorating North-South relations.
North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Son Gwon condemns the U.S. for failing to pursue constructive diplomacy with Pyongyang on the two-year anniversary of the U.S.-North Korea Singapore Summit.
Kwon Jong Gun, director of the North Korean Foreign Ministry’s department of U.S. affairs, denounces South Korean efforts to promote renewed diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang, emphasizing the need for a mediator in DPRK-U.S. dialogue.
On 5 September 2020, Kim toured the areas hit by Typhoon Maysak, replaced the local provincial party committee chairman, and ordered Pyongyang officials to lead a recovery effort.
During a Workers’ Party meeting, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expresses the need for his country to prepare for both dialogue and confrontation, particularly to be fully prepared for confrontation with the United States, following the release of the Biden administration's policy plans for the Korean peninsula.
Kim Yo Jong, a senior North Korean official, criticizes the double-dealing attitudes and hostile stand of South Korean leader's comments at the United Nations, emphasizing the right to self-defence.
Kim Yo Jong expresses Pyongyang’s willingness to engage in peace talks with Seoul, highlighting the importance of impartiality and mutual respect for smooth understanding between North and South Korea.
A timeline of major events that have occurred during Kim Jong-un's authoritarian leadership.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversees the test of a hypersonic missile, demonstrating 'glide jump flight' and 'corkscrew maneuvering' as part of efforts to strengthen the country's 'war deterrent.'
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reconsiders steps previously taken to cool tensions with the United States, citing Washington's 'hostile moves' as a reason to reexamine North Korea's military posture.
On November 18, 2022, Kim Jong Un was seen reviewing key military arsenals with his daughter Ju Ae. This event signifies the involvement of his daughter in military matters.
Russian Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu and a Chinese delegation led by Communist Party Politburo member Li Hongzhong arrived in North Korea for the 70th anniversary of the end of the Korean War. Shoigu met with Kim Jong Un and North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam.
Kim Jong Un visited Russia in his first foreign trip since 2019. The meeting lasted over four hours at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur Oblast, and was described as underpinning how the two countries' interests are aligning.
During a speech at the 9th plenum of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kim called for a 'fundamental turnabout' in North Korea's stance towards South Korea, calling the South the 'enemy'.
Kim received a car as a gift from Russian leader Vladimir Putin.