 |
Kim Chon UnThird son of Kim Jong Il
Country:
 North Korea |
Content:
Biography of Kim Jong Un
Kim Jong Un, also known as "The Prince," is the third son of Kim Jong Il, the former leader of North Korea. Born in late 1983 or early 1984, Kim Jong Un is the son of Kim Jong Il's mistress, Ko Yong Hui, who was originally from Japan and passed away in 2004 from breast cancer (or possibly died in a car accident). She gave birth to two sons - the eldest, Kim Jong Chol, and the youngest, Kim Jong Un. Kim Jong Il also had a son from his first mistress, actress Song Hye Rim, named Kim Jong Nam, whom he deemed unfit to lead the country due to his indulgence in Western culture.
Unexpected Succession
The candidacy of Kim Jong Chol was also rejected by Kim Jong Il due to his perceived "unmanly character." However, the nomination of the younger son, Kim Jong Un, in March 2009 during parliamentary elections came as a surprise to the rest of the world. Nevertheless, such a possibility existed earlier. A Japanese chef, who released a book in 2003 titled "I Was a Cook for Kim Jong Il," claims that Kim Jong Un was his father's favorite and was raised as his successor. His mother, Ko Yong Hui, always referred to him as the "King of the Morning Sun" in the presence of high-ranking officials, clearly indicating his destiny. In 2006, party officials were given badges featuring Kim Jong Un's image, further signifying his status as the heir. Some sources also report that his father singled him out for his exceptional intellect.
Mysterious Figure
There is little information available about Kim Jong Un, and foreign media only have his composite sketch and a childhood photograph. He is currently believed to be twenty-five years old or slightly older. According to some testimonies, Kim Jong Un is a spitting image of his father, with the same health issues, including diabetes and cardiovascular problems. He is overweight (around 90 kg at a height of 175 cm) and shares his father's interest in American pop music, NBA matches, and nude dancers. It is known that he, along with his brothers, studied at the International School of Berne in Switzerland, and he rarely appeared in public, mostly receiving education at home and having meals at restaurants with the North Korean ambassador. Upon his return to North Korea at the age of twenty, Kim Jong Il's life became secretive, and it is unknown whether he was involved in politics or held any position in the government.
Designated Heir
In 2008, Kim Jong Il's health deteriorated sharply, raising the question of his successor once again. South Korean news agency "Yonhap" spread the information that Kim Jong Il officially appointed Kim Jong Un as his successor in January 2009.
