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Death of the Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il (김정일) Feb. 16, 1941- Dec 17, 2011, succeeded by youngest son Kim Jong-un as Supreme Leader and head of the Korean Workers Party
Kim Jong-Il funeral, picture ironically carried on an American Lincoln limousine
Kim Jong-un
The Supreme Leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-il, died on Dec 17, 2011 . It was reported by the North Korean media that he died of a heart attack while traveling on a train outside of Pyongyang. His son, Kim Jong-un (김정은 b. Jan. 8, 1983), was announced as his successor in the North Korean media, who refereed to him as "the great successor." Kim Jong-un is the third and youngest son of Kim Jong-il. Kim Jong-un's, eldest half-brother, Kim Jong-nam ( 김정남 b.May 10, 1970), had been the favourite to succeed, but reportedly fell out of favour after 2001, when he was caught attempting to enter Japan on a fake passport to visit Tokyo Disneyland.
North Korea's potential next leader made his debut at the largest military parade in the country's history, in front of reporters from 18 different countries
Kim Jong-il's middle son, Kim Jong-chul (김정철 b. Sept. 25, 1981) , was reported to have been passed over by younger brother, Kim Jong-un, to succeed his father as the head of the Korean Workers' Party and de-facto head of state of North Korea. According to a book ( I was Kim Jong Il's Cook ) by a Kenji Fujimoto, a Japanese who became Kim Jong-il's sushi chef from 1988 to 2001, Kim Jong-il considered Kim Jong-chul to be 'too feminine' to be the leader of North Korea. To read an article in The Atlantic, click here.
Ever wonder what it is like to go to school with a dictator's son? Marco Imhof knows. According to him, he attended school in Switzerland with Kim Jong-un
Kim Jong-un began to be groomed for the top position after Kim Jong-il suffered a stroke like illness in 2008. Kim made about 100 public appearances with his father. According to U.S. intelligence sources, Kim Jong-un is likely to be as hard lined as his father and not expected to enact political or economic reforms as he is surrounded by advisors to act as regents such as Ri Yung-ho (Chief of the general staff of the Korean People's Army), Kim Kyung-Hee (Kim Kong Hui) the younger sister of Kim Jong-il, whom he was very close to and her husband Jang Sung-thaek, a member of the National defense Commission.. Some speculate Kim Jong-un,who was promoted to general in the army, was behind the attacks on South Korea in 2010 to gain a reputation.
BBC news on the death of Kim Jong Il
At the state funeral for the Kim Jong-il, Kim Yong-nam, the senior speaker, the head of the North Korean parliament spoke of continuing Kim Jong-il's policy of 'military first' or (선군정치, Son'gun chŏngch'i), indicating there would be no major changes in the direction of North Korean policy. Kim Jong-il created this policy in the mid-1990s to maintain power as North Korea economy faltered and the country was hit with severe famine. Kim Jong-un has only spoken once in public and has made no public statement as of Jan 30, 2011.
The 330 metre, 105 floor Ryugyong Hotel ( 류경 'capital of willows') as seen from the Potong Gate. Construction began in 1987 with planned completion in 1989.construction was eventually halted in 1992. ; had this been achieved, it would have held the title of world's tallest hotel.In July 2011, it was reported that the exterior work was complete. In 2008, North Korean officials stated that the hotel would be completed by 2012, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the birth of "Eternal President" Kim Il Sung.
Despite the American and UN trade sanctions on North Korea since a nuclear weapon test in 2006 and the sinking of a South Korean navy ship in 2010, there has been a significant increase in the importation of cars, cellphones, laptops, appliances and other goods from China. Imports of cellphones have risen 4,200% since 2007. Many North Korean watchers believe that North Korea can continue to bring in enough hard currency through weapon sales through the secretive Office 39 and import enough luxuries to maintain the support of the political and military elite.
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