Kim Jong Un was born on 8 January 1983 or 1984, with conflicting reports from North Korean sources claiming 1982 for symbolic reasons related to his grandfather's birthday, while South Korean intelligence and U.S. government estimates suggest 1983 or 1984 based on passport records and defector accounts. He is the second of three children of Ko Yong Hui and Kim Jong Il, with an elder brother Kim Jong Chul (born 1981) and a younger sister Kim Yo Jong (born 1987). As the grandson of Kim Il Sung, founder of North Korea, Kim Jong Un is the first leader born as a North Korean citizen, unlike his father who was born in the Soviet Union and his grandfather during Japanese colonial rule.
In his early life, Kim Jong Un lived in Switzerland from around 1991 or 1992 to 2000, attending the International School of Berne and later the Liebefeld Steinhölzli state school under assumed names like "Chol-pak" or "Pak-un." Classmates described him as shy, ambitious, well-integrated, a basketball enthusiast, and a fan of the NBA, particularly Michael Jordan, as well as Jackie Chan films and computer games. He was chaperoned by a bodyguard and mentored by the North Korean ambassador in Switzerland. His grades were reported as poor, and he played basketball with his elder brother. After returning to North Korea, Kim studied at Kim Il Sung University, earning degrees in physics and as an army officer from Kim Il Sung Military University between 2002 and 2007. Reports indicate he and his father used forged Brazilian passports in the 1990s to apply for Western visas.
Kim's rise to power began in late 2010 when he was viewed as the successor to his father. His half-brother Kim Jong-nam was initially favored but fell out of favor after a 2001 incident involving a fake passport to visit Japan. Kim Jong Un was appointed vice chairman of the Central Military Commission in September 2010 and promoted to full chairman in 2012. Following Kim Jong Il's death on 17 December 2011, Kim was publicly declared the "great successor" and assumed leadership roles, including Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army on 24 December 2011. He was elected First Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea in April 2012, becoming First Chairman of the National Defense Commission, and later Chairman of the Central Military Commission. In July 2012, he was promoted to marshal, the highest active military rank.
Under his leadership, Kim has ruled as a totalitarian dictator, fostering a cult of personality through state media references as "Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un" or "Marshal Kim Jong Un." He has ordered purges, including the 2013 execution of his uncle Jang Song-thaek and believed to have orchestrated the 2017 assassination of his half-brother Kim Jong-nam in Malaysia. Human rights violations have been alleged, with UN reports suggesting accountability for crimes against humanity. Kim has promoted the byungjin policy for simultaneous economic and nuclear development, expanding the nuclear program with tests in 2013, 2016, 2017, and beyond, leading to UN sanctions and heightened tensions with the U.S. and South Korea.
Diplomatically, Kim held summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in 2018, signing the Panmunjom Declaration, and with U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018-2019, aiming for denuclearization but yielding no agreement. Relations with China initially strained due to nuclear tests but improved with multiple meetings, including in 2018-2019. Ties with Russia strengthened, with summits in 2019 and 2023, and North Korea supporting Russia's actions in Ukraine by sending soldiers in 2024 following the Kursk campaign. In 2024, Kim declared the abandonment of reunification efforts with South Korea, citing irreconcilable differences.
In domestic policy, Kim revived the Workers' Party's structures, reducing military influence through constitutional changes in 2016 and 2019, renaming positions to present North Korea as a "normal state." Economic reforms include the byungjin approach, enterprise autonomy measures in 2013, agricultural incentives, and consumer culture promotion, though food shortages persisted amid the COVID-19 pandemic. North Korea claimed no cases until May 2022, when an outbreak was announced, leading to lockdowns and Kim's orders for mobilization. He claimed control by May's end but faced skepticism.
Personal life details include marriage to Ri Sol Ju in 2009, with two unconfirmed children and one confirmed daughter, Kim Ju Ae, who has appeared publicly since 2022. Kim is accompanied by sister Kim Yo Jong, who assists in public image management. He is a smoker, reportedly diabetic and hypertensive, with health issues including weight fluctuations noted in 2024, leading to obesity-related concerns and medication imports.
Key events up to November 04, 2025, include the 2021 Workers' Party Congress where Kim became General Secretary, admitting economic failures and reasserting communism. Nuclear tests continued, with over 226 missiles launched by 2023. In 2023, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited for the Korean War anniversary. In September 2025, Kim attended the China Victory Day Parade in Beijing, his first visit since 2019, alongside Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. North Korea-Russia ties deepened with a 2024 comprehensive strategic partnership treaty and ongoing military support to Russia.
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