Kim Jong Il

On April 15, 1912, the founder of North Korea, Kim Il Sung, was born in Pyongyang. He played a significant role in the history of North Korea and its political landscape.

Kim Jong Il was born in Siberia, Russia, U.S.S.R. He was the son of the former North Korean premier and successor to his father as ruler of North Korea. The official North Korean version of his birth attributes many precocious abilities to him and claims his birth was accompanied by auspicious signs.

There are conflicting versions of Kim Jong-il's birth circumstances, with the official North Korea claim being that he was born in a military hideout in Mt. Baekdu. This claim has been used to justify his ascension to power and has become a significant part of North Korean history and ideology.

In 1945, at the age of four, Kim Jong Il returned to Korea with his family via a Soviet ship after World War II ended and Korea regained independence from Japan. The family settled in Pyongyang, and tragically, Kim's brother drowned in 1948.

In January 1959, Kim Jong-il accompanied his father to Moscow to attend the 21st Congress of the Soviet Communist Party. This visit sparked Kim Jong-il's deep interest in politics and his aspirations to rise to power in the future.

In July 1961, Kim Jong Il officially joined the Workers' Party of Korea and began his rise through the ranks, eventually benefiting from the Kapsan Faction Incident in 1967.

Kim Jong-il graduated from the Department of Political Economy at Kim Il-sung University in 1964. This marked the beginning of his political career.

In 1967, Kim Jong-il was appointed as the Section Leader of the Propaganda and Agitation Bureau, which was a significant step in his political career.

Kim Jong Il's relationship with Song Hye Rim, his first mistress, started in 1970. They had one son, Kim Jong Nam, who was kept a secret until Kim ascended to power in 1994.

In 1971, Kim Jong-il became the Chief of the Arts and Culture Bureau, demonstrating his increasing influence within the political structure.

In September 1973, Kim Jong-il was elected both Secretary of Organization and Propaganda and Chief of the Organizational Bureau during a closed-door meeting of KWP Central Committee, solidifying his position as a key figure in the political hierarchy.

At the February 1974 8th Full Congress of the 5th KWP Central Committee, Kim Jong-il was appointed as a member of the Central Committee’s Political Bureau (Politburo) and oversaw actions to 'have the Dear Commander Kim Jong-il succeed the Great Chairman'.

In February 1975, the 10th Full Congress of the 5th KWP Central Committee unanimously conferred upon Kim Jong-il the title 'Dear Commander', solidifying his position as heir apparent.

In 1977, Kim Jong Il was publicly designated as Kim Il Sung's only heir, further solidifying his position as the successor to the leadership of North Korea.

On Kim Jong Il's orders, South Korean film director Shin Sang-ok and his actress wife Choi Eun-hee were kidnapped in 1978 in order to build a North Korean film industry.

During the Sixth Party Congress in October 1980, Kim Jong Il's control of the Party operation was complete, and he was deemed the heir apparent of North Korea by international observers.

Kim Jong Il had a son, Kim Jong Chul, with his second mistress, Ko Yong Hui. He was born in 1981.

On January 8, 1983, Kim Jong Il's third and youngest son, Jong Un, is believed to have been born.

Another bombing incident occurred in 1987, killing all 115 onboard Korean Air Flight 858. A North Korean agent confessed to planting the bomb, stating that the operation was ordered by Kim personally.

In 1992, Kim Jong Il became the head of state, marking a significant milestone in his political career.

Kim Jong Il was named Chairman of the National Defence Commission on 9 April 1993, becoming the day-to-day commander of the armed forces.

On July 8, 1994, Kim Il Sung passed away due to a heart attack, and Kim Jong Il inherited power.

Kim Jong Il officially took over his father's old post as General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea on 8 October 1997.

In May 1998, Kim Jong Il made an unofficial visit to China, indicating diplomatic engagements and relations with the neighboring country.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il held summit talks with South Korean President Kim Dae-jung from June 13 to 15.

In June 2000, Kim Jong Il met with South Korean leader Kim Dae-Jung in the first summit between leaders of the two countries, reaching an agreement to take steps toward reunification.

Kim Jong-il made an unofficial visit to China from January 15 to 20, 2001.

Song Hye Rim, Kim Jong Il's first mistress, is believed to have died in Moscow in the Central Clinical Hospital in 2002.

In 2004, a Human Rights Watch report accused the North Korean government under Kim Jong Il of being one of the world's most repressive governments, with allegations of having up to 200,000 political prisoners and no freedom of the press, religion, political opposition, or equal education. The report also accused Kim's government of 'crimes against humanity' for its alleged involvement in creating and prolonging the 1990s famine.

In 2006, North Korea's Central News Agency announced North Korea had successfully conducted an underground nuclear bomb test. This event raised significant concerns and tensions in the international community.

Kim Jong Il collapsed due to a stroke or cerebral hemorrhage, requiring a long period of rest and rehabilitation. He had occasional loss of consciousness since April, and some parts of his hands and feet were paralyzed.

Reports stated that Kim Jong Il suffered a serious setback and had been taken back to the hospital. Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso confirmed Kim's hospitalization and his condition.

The North's Korean Central News Agency published 2 photos showing Kim Jong Il posing with Korean People's Army soldiers on a visit to military units, despite questions about the authenticity of the photos.

Kim Jong Un, Kim Jong Il's youngest son, was announced to be North Korea's next leader on 2 June 2009. He was expected to officially be designated as the successor in 2012.

On February 16, 2011, Kim Jong Il celebrated his 69th birthday.

Kim Jon-Il died December 17, 2011, of a heart attack while traveling on a train. Upon news of The Dear Leader's death, North Koreans marched on the capital, weeping and mourning. Kim is said to be survived by three wives, three sons, and three daughters. His son, Kim Jong Un, is reported to take up leadership, and the military pledged to support Jong Un's succession.

On December 18, 2011, state television from Pyongyang announced the death of Kim Jong Il at the age of 69.

On December 19, 2011, North Korean state media announced that Kim Jong Il had died on a train two days earlier, marking a significant event in North Korean history.

Kim Jong Il's funeral took place in Pyongyang, with a mourning period lasting until the following day. The announcement of his death led to immediate alert and emergency meetings in South Korea, as well as a fall in Asian stock markets.

North Korea called Kim Jong Il the 'eternal leader' and announced plans to preserve and display his body at Pyongyang's Kumsusan Memorial Palace. They also declared his birthday as a national holiday and made posthumous military promotions in his honor.

Kim Jong Il's younger sister, Kim Kyong Hui's husband, Jang Sung Taek, was executed in December 2013 in Pyongyang, after being charged with treason and corruption.