Kim Jong-un, the leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, assumed power in North Korea in 2011. His father, Kim Jong-il, had been the country’s leader since 1994, but his death in December that year marked the transition of leadership from father to son. Although it was always expected that Kim Jong-un would take over as leader, his ascension to power was sudden, and his consolidation of power occurred surprisingly quickly.
Kim Jong-un was educated at two schools in Switzerland and then attended Kim Il-sung University in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, where he studied physics and computer science from 2002-2007. Prior to his father’s death, he was virtually unknown to the world. It is believed that Kim Jong-un was chosen as his father’s successor due to his intelligence, charisma, and ability to inspire.
It is estimated that Kim Jong-un’s legitimization as leader of North Korea began around 2010, when he was made a four-star general in the Korean People’s Army. In 2011 he was appointed chairman of the Central Military Commission, the supreme military organization of North Korea. Shortly after, he assumed the role of Supreme Leader of North Korea. Kim Jong-un also served as the first chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea from 2011 until 2016, when his title was changed to Chairman of the State Affairs Commission.
Kim Jong-un has maintained control over the country by relying on a combination of repression and economic reform. He has crushed dissent within the government through ruthless purges, while enacting a range of market reforms that have overhauled North Korea’s economy. These reforms have created new markets and industries, as well as increased production of goods. Kim Jong-un has also been able to capitalize on North Korean denuclearization talks with the United States, leveraging them to extract billions of dollars in aid from regional and global powers.
The extent of Kim Jong-un’s power and influence are difficult to measure accurately, as the country remains highly authoritarian. Although some analysts believe he is an absolute dictator, other observers believe he is surrounded by powerful aides who challenge and push back against his decisions. Kim Jong-un has continued the policy of his father, focusing on economic development and maintaining a tight grip on power and information. Since taking power, he has been able to fortify his rule and maintain a powerful presence on the world stage.
Political Influences On Kim Jong Un’s Power
When Kim Jong Un first took power in North Korea, he inherited a country that had suffered badly under the rule of his father, Kim Jong Il. North Korean citizens had endured decades of isolation and totalitarian rule, and their standard of living had plummeted. Kim Jong Un was able to leverage his charismatic personality to earn the support of the North Korean people, and he also recognized the need to engage with foreign powers and forge better political ties. He sought to present North Korea as a responsible member of the international community, and he was able to secure crippling sanctions against North Korea to be lifted by the US, China, and other major powers.
Kim Jong Un has diplomatically reached out to a range of countries, including South Korea, Japan, China, the United States, and Russia. He has visited each of these countries and established close relations, which has helped him to extend his power and influence in the international arena. Additionally, Kim Jong Un has devoted considerable resources to developing North Korea’s nuclear program, which has been a source of great concern for many countries around the world. This has also aided his consolidation of power, as the North Korean people have embraced his commitment to nuclear arms as a way of defending and advancing the country against its enemies.
U.S. And North Korean Foreign Policy
The foreign policy of the US and North Korea have clashed since the division of the Korean peninsula and the beginning of the Korean War in 1950. The US has traditionally held a hard line on North Korean conduct, pursuing a policy of strategic containment, while North Korea has reacted accordingly, amassing an impressive arsenal of nuclear weapons as a form of defense. This standoff has been exacerbated by North Korea’s cyber-attacks, missile launches, and other acts of aggression, as well as its threat to ignite a nuclear war. US President Donald Trump has been the most ardent critic of North Korea, denounced the country’s nuclear program and imposing heavy economic sanctions.
Kim Jong-un has welcomed talks with the United States, and is even willing to denuclearize if the US provides sufficient security guarantees. Although President Trump initially welcomed these talks, he has since become skeptical, accusing North Korea of failing to make meaningful progress in denuclearization talks. This has stalled any progress being made on normalizing relations between the two countries, and has contributed to a dangerous escalation in tensions.
Conclusion Of The Kim Jong Un Regime
Kim Jong-un has consolidated his power in North Korea, and looks set to remain in control for the foreseeable future. Although he has made some political and economic reforms, the country remains largely undemocratic, and the true power and influence of Kim Jong-un are hard to gauge. North Korean citizens continue to suffer under authoritarian rule, and Kim Jong-un’s regime has been criticised for its human rights violations and oppressive policies. However, as North Korea looks to engage with the global community, there is hope that Kim Jong-un’s rule could eventually lead to prosperity and independence for the isolated nation.
Evaluating Kim Jong Un’s Leadership
Since taking power in 2011, Kim Jong-Un has sent shock waves around the world. His ambitions for his country have been clear, and he has sought to strengthen the North Korean economy and engage with the wider world. North Korea has achieved some success in this respect, with US-led sanctions being lifted and the country being opened up to foreign investment. However, many of Kim Jong-Un’s policies have been heavily criticized, and his regime remains oppressive and deeply concerning for many.
In order to assess Kim Jong-un’s leadership, it is necessary to examine both the positive and negative aspects of his rule. On the positive side, he has introduced economic reforms that have improved the standard of living for many North Koreans, and his diplomatic overtures have seen him forge stronger ties with a number of major powers. On the negative side, however, his policies have been authoritarian and highly oppressive, and he has been accused of serious human rights violations.
Ultimately, Kim Jong-un has managed to remain in power, and has achieved some success in improving the situation in North Korea. However, his leadership has also been marked by a highly authoritarian approach, and many of his policies have been highly criticised by the international community.
Impact Of North Korea On The International Community
North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction have been a major point of concern amongst the international community, and the country is widely seen as a rogue state. Kim Jong-un’s demands for security guarantees have further complicated the situation, and the US and other major powers have been unwilling to entertain such demands. Furthermore, North Korea’s cyber-attacks and missile launches have caused alarm amongst its neighbours, particularly Japan and South Korea.
The international community has sought to contain and isolate North Korea, and the United Nations has imposed multiple sanctions on the country. Additionally, individual countries, such as the US, have imposed their own economic sanctions and travel restrictions. This pressure has weakened the North Korean economy and has been widely credited with forcing Kim Jong-un to the negotiating table.
Although there are still major concerns about North Korea’s nuclear program and its ever-growing arsenal of weapons of mass destruction, there is hope that denuclearization talks can lead to a better future for the region. For this to happen, the international community must remain committed to holding Kim Jong-un accountable and ensuring that North Korea is brought out of isolation and into the international community.
Analysis Of North Korean Political Discourse
It is important to analyze North Korean political discourse in order to gain a better understanding of the country and its leader. The political discourse of North Korea has traditionally been highly authoritarian, with the state emphasizing its superiority over other countries and its own citizens. Kim Jong-un has continued this trend, often proclaiming that North Korea is the mightiest state in the world and propagating a hostile culture towards other countries.
On the other hand, Kim Jong-un has also sought to engage the global community, and has presented himself as open to negotiations and peace. He has sought to forge stronger ties with a range of countries and has paid particular attention to China, which is an important ally of North Korea. It is clear that Kim Jong-un has recognized the importance of diplomacy and the benefits it can bring to North Korea and its citizens.
It is clear that the political discourse of North Korea has shifted since the ascension of Kim Jong-un. The state is still highly authoritarian, but there are signs that Kim Jong-un is open to engaging with the global community and seeking to build bridges with other countries. This shift, although still precarious, could be the first step towards a more open and prosperous North Korea.
