| Kim Jong Il, born February 16, 1941 or 1942 is the Head of the state of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (or DPRK), General Secretary of the Worker’s Party of Korea, Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army (strength-wise, fourth army in the world), Chairman of the National Defence Commission of North Korea, son of “Great leader” Kim Il Sung. Unlike father, he has title “Intelligent Leader”, earlier, prior to his father’s death – “Dear Leader”. He was also called “Commander”.
Childhood:
Kim Jong-Il was born on February 16, 1941 (according to official biography - February 16, 1942) in the family of Kim Il Sung & Kim Jong-Suk. Official biography asserts, that Kim Jong Il was born in a secret guerrilla camp in timber hut on the highest & esteemed mountain of North Korea- Baekdu Mountain (district Samdzhiyon) and at the time of birth, double rainbow and bright star appeared in the sky. According to Soviet & Chinese documents, he was born on February 16, 1941 in USSR village Vyatskoye, Khabarovsk Region & was called at the time of birth “ Yury Irsenovich Kim”. He spent his childhood in Vyatskoye village, where 88th detached infantry brigade RKKA was positioned & Kim’s father was commander of one of the battalions - at that time, captain of Red Army and subsequently, President of Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
At the end of World War II, Kin Jong Ir was taken to Pyongyang in November 1945, to the place, where his father has already returned. During Korean war (1950-1953), he was once again taken out of the country, but this time to China. It is presumed that, Kim received majority of his education in China, even though official biography claims that Kim received school education in 1950-1960 at school for children of party workers in Pyongyang and then, in 1964, he graduated from the Kim Il Sung University in Pyongyang, majoring in political economy.
Cult of Personality:
When Kim Jong Il was in North Korea, policy of eulogy & worshiping of his personality continues, which is characteristics even during governing times of his father. According to the opinion of observers, cult similar to the cult of Stalin in USSR was established in Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
* All the public institutions had the portraits of Kim Jong & any criticism towards the leader was punished by imprisonment in concentration camp;
* Since 1980s, biography of Kim Jong as well as the biography of his father became official subject for studying at schools. All books or articles begin with citations from his works & name of the leader in North Korean publications is done by aspecial bold font;
* North Korean TV telecasts love of people towards the leader every day & propaganda narrates about Kim Jong II's super abilities to manipulate time & space. Artists of the country dedicate their performances to him, verses are composed & salutes are thundered in the honor of him & birthday of the leader is second state holiday of North Korea.
People in the country consider Kim Jong Il a remarkable composer & six operas were written by him within a span of two years. His works “Juche Ideas”, “Some questions, arising while studying Juche philosophy”, “Cinematography”, “Literature, based on Juche principle” are considered classical works of Kim Jong Il. In the country, it is considered that Kim Jong Il is a great architect, who designed “Juche Tower” in Pyongyang.
Personal life:
Kim Jong Il was married several times, presumably has three sons (according to other information, he is father of 13 illegal children).
Way of life:
Waking up early in the morning, Kim Jong Il usually does memory exercises. He told in this regard: “Memory becomes better if head is switched-on more often. I wake up early in the mornings do memory exercises”. On a question, how he spends his leisure time, Kim Jong II replied:
“I like to go to people & spend time together. It is interesting to know how the people of our country are living & working, I care for them, have heart-to-heart conversation with them, I share sorrow & happiness with them- this is most fruitful & pleasant thing for me. And more - I love reading & music. Book and music is “food” for our work, it is our life”. |
There's been a lot of media buzz that North Korean leader Kim Jong Il had a stroke and is unable to rule the country. North Korea officially denies these rumours but Kim Jong Il did not make any public appearances for months. Days ago, North Korean TV showed a video of Kim Jong Il talking to a Korean soccer team after a game - Kim Jong is shown in good health and a cheerful mood. There are questions about the authenticity of this video - whether the video was taken long before Kim Jong's disappearance, or whether Kim Jong's body double was used in the video rather than the leader himself. In any case North Korea tries to use this video to show the world that Kim Jong Il is in good health and is even in a mood for sports.
