Kim Jong-il, North Korean commander and politician, 2nd Supreme Leader of North Korea (d. 2011)

Kim Jong-il (Korean: 김정일; Korean pronunciation: [kim.dzɔŋ.il]; born Yuri Irsenovich Kim; 16 February 1941 – 17 December 2011) was a pivotal figure in modern North Korean history, serving as the second supreme leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) for 17 years, from 1994 until his death in 2011. He inherited leadership from his father, Kim Il-sung, the founder and first Supreme Leader of North Korea, and in turn, was succeeded by his own son, Kim Jong-un, solidifying the hereditary nature of power within the Kim dynasty.

The Ascent to Power: From Heir Apparent to Supreme Leader

Kim Jong-il's path to the highest office was meticulously orchestrated over decades. In the early 1980s, he was officially designated as the heir apparent to his father, Kim Il-sung, a move that signaled the establishment of a dynastic succession unique in the communist world. During this period, Kim Jong-il steadily assumed crucial roles within the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and the Korean People's Army (KPA), gaining invaluable experience and consolidating his influence. These important posts allowed him to build a strong network of loyalists and understand the intricacies of the party-military apparatus that governs North Korea.

Upon the death of his father, Kim Il-sung, in July 1994, Kim Jong-il formally succeeded him as the Supreme Leader. This transition marked a new era for North Korea. Throughout his tenure, he held several powerful titles that underscored his absolute authority:

• The General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), the ruling political party.
• A key member of the WPK Presidium, the highest decision-making body.
• The Chairman of the National Defence Commission (NDC) of North Korea, which was elevated to the highest state organ under his rule, reflecting his "military-first" policy.
• The Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army (KPA), which, at the time, was recognized as the fourth-largest standing army in the world, a significant force in a nation with a population of approximately 25 million.

Navigating Crisis: Economic Hardship and "Military-First" Policies

Kim Jong-il assumed leadership during one of North Korea's most challenging periods. The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 had a catastrophic impact on North Korea, which had relied heavily on Soviet aid and preferential trade agreements for food, fuel, and other essential supplies. This economic shock, coupled with chronic mismanagement and a series of natural disasters, precipitated a severe famine in the mid-to-late 1990s, often referred to within North Korea as the "Arduous March." This period saw widespread starvation and an estimated hundreds of thousands, potentially millions, of deaths, plunging the country into a profound humanitarian crisis.

While the famine officially ended by the late 1990s, chronic food scarcity and economic difficulties remained persistent issues throughout Kim Jong-il's rule. In response to these challenges and to strengthen the regime's control, Kim Jong-il implemented his signature Songun ("military-first") policies. This doctrine prioritized the Korean People's Army above all other aspects of society, allocating the best resources to the military and positioning it as the central organizer of civil society. The army's role extended beyond defense, encompassing economic production, infrastructure development, and ideological indoctrination, further entrenching its power and influence.

Tentative Economic Reforms and Constitutional Amendments

Despite the prevailing repression and totalitarian nature of his rule, Kim Jong-il's tenure also saw some tentative efforts towards economic reforms. One notable initiative was the establishment of the Kaesong Industrial Park in 2003. This inter-Korean economic project, located just north of the Demilitarized Zone, was designed to combine South Korean capital and technology with North Korean labor, aiming to generate foreign currency for the North while providing South Korean companies with competitive manufacturing costs. Although its operations were often subject to political tensions, it represented a rare instance of economic cooperation and a slight deviation from North Korea's self-reliance (Juche) ideology.

In April 2009, North Korea's constitution underwent significant amendments. These changes explicitly solidified Kim Jong-il's position, and by extension, that of his successors, by referring to him as the "supreme leader of the DPRK." This formal constitutional recognition underscored the absolute and hereditary nature of leadership within the country.

"Dear Leader": Personality Cult and Final Years

To distinguish him from his revered father, Kim Il-sung, who was known as the "Great Leader," Kim Jong-il was most commonly referred to by the colloquial title "Dear Leader." This title was an integral part of the elaborate personality cult that surrounded him, emphasizing his wisdom, benevolence, and indispensable role in the nation's destiny. State propaganda tirelessly promoted his image, creating an aura of semi-divinity around him and his family.

In 2008, Kim Jong-il's health became a subject of intense international speculation after he failed to appear at several important public events. Foreign observers and intelligence agencies closely monitored the situation, with many assuming he had either suffered a severe illness, such as a stroke, or had even died. These rumors underscored the opaque nature of North Korean leadership and the global interest in its stability.

On 19 December 2011, the North Korean government officially announced that Kim Jong-il had died two days earlier, on 17 December, from a heart attack while traveling by train. Following his death, his third son, Kim Jong-un, who had been rapidly promoted to senior positions within the ruling WPK shortly before his father's demise, was declared his successor, marking the third generation of the Kim family to lead North Korea.

In keeping with the tradition of establishing eternal posts for deceased members of the Kim family, Kim Jong-il was posthumously designated the "Eternal General Secretary" of the Workers' Party of Korea and the "Eternal Chairman of the National Defence Commission." These honorary titles cemented his place in North Korean ideology and the continuous veneration of the Kim dynasty.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kim Jong-il's Leadership

When did Kim Jong-il rule North Korea?

Kim Jong-il ruled North Korea from 1994 until his death on December 17, 2011, serving as the Supreme Leader for 17 years.

What was the "Arduous March" during his rule?

The "Arduous March" is the North Korean term for the severe famine that gripped the country in the mid-to-late 1990s, occurring during Kim Jong-il's early years as leader. It resulted from the collapse of Soviet aid, economic mismanagement, and natural disasters, leading to widespread starvation.

What were Kim Jong-il's "Songun" policies?

Songun, meaning "military-first," was Kim Jong-il's guiding policy that prioritized the Korean People's Army above all other aspects of society. This meant allocating the best resources to the military, using the army for civilian projects, and strengthening its political role to maintain control and develop the nation.

Who succeeded Kim Jong-il after his death?

Kim Jong-il was succeeded by his third and youngest son, Kim Jong-un, who assumed the role of Supreme Leader of North Korea.

What unique titles did Kim Jong-il hold after his death?

After his death, Kim Jong-il was given the posthumous titles of "Eternal General Secretary" of the Workers' Party of Korea and "Eternal Chairman of the National Defence Commission," further entrenching the Kim family's perpetual rule and cult of personality.