The current Prime Minister of North Korea is Kim Jong-un. He is the third member of the Kim dynasty to lead the country and was appointed in late 2011. Kim Jong-un is the undemocratic leader of the isolated Stalinist state that’s been in power since 1948. He has used harsh speeches against foreign powers, developed a nuclear weapon programme, and has been given absolute power by the North Korean government.
Kim Jong-un is the leader of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, North Korea’s highest legislative body. He was born in 1984 in Pyongang to the then-leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-il. After his father’s death in 2011, he was named the leader of North Korea in a widely publicized ceremony, and has since been hailed by the ruling elite as “the supreme leader of our party, military, and country.”
At the time of his accession, Kim was only 27 years old and lacked any significant experience in government. However, he has since made moves to consolidate his control over the government, often shaking up the cabinet, eliminating rivals, and emphasizing loyalty to him rather than the state. He has also publicly declared that he and his father have absolute power over the government, and has imposed a strict information control policy.
Through the years, Kim Jong-un has displayed his stance of rejecting any suggestion of reform in North Korea, insisting that the country remain under his strict authoritarian rule. He has also pursued a strong military policy, engaging in a series of weapons tests and engaging in public shows of force. He has also overseen a series of public executions of potential political rivals, including his uncle and half-brother.
Despite his harsh rule, Kim Jong-un has shifted away from his father’s hardline policies and has made small steps towards the West, hosting a summit with US President Donald Trump in 2018. But experts have pointed out that the North Korean leader is unlikely to make further concessions, given his deeply rooted government policies and his strong stance against foreign intervention.
Under Kim Jong-un’s rule, North Korea remains a closed and authoritarian state, with tight restrictions on both internal dissent and foreign relations. Despite his efforts to build better relations with the West, experts agree that the outlook for North Korea remains highly uncertain and the future of the country depends heavily on the changes in its leadership.
Military Strength
Since becoming Prime Minister, Kim Jong-un has invested heavily into North Korea’s military capabilities, bolstering the defence sector with more advanced weapons, improved training and a more efficient command-and-control system.
The North Korean military is estimated to have more than 1 million active troops and is widely regarded as one of the most heavily equipped and highly trained militaries in the world. Its arsenal includes tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery, surface-to-air missiles and nuclear weapons, though it is believed that its arsenal may still be limited due to sanctions.
In addition to traditional defence capabilities, North Korea is also thought to possess a wide range of asymmetric capabilities, including cyberwarfare, special forces and missiles with a long range. Kim Jong-un has also been investing in long-range missiles, nuclear weapons, and other offensive capabilities, creating an even greater threat to the region.
On the international stage, North Korea has been relatively quiet in recent years, though it does continue to fire missiles and carry out nuclear tests, as well as engaging in low-level provocations against South Korea and other neighbouring countries.
Economic Potential
Despite its small size, North Korea has the potential to become an economic powerhouse. It is rich in natural resources such as coal, iron ore, and rare earth metals, and the country is believed to have significant oil reserves in the offshore areas of the Sea of Japan.
In economic terms, North Korea is highly isolationist and many of its economic policies have been driven by the government’s strong focus on developing its military capabilities. However, the country has recently taken small steps towards economic openness, allowing some limited foreign investment and developing new economic policies such as deregulation, foreign exchange liberalization, and labour market reform.
These reforms have led to some improvement in the country’s economic situation, though experts believe that further reforms are needed in order to unlock the country’s economic potential. North Korea currently has a dismal Human Development Index rating and remains one of the poorest countries in the world.
Political Views
Kim Jong-un has a highly ideological worldview, and his actions are heavily guided by North Korea’s core ideology of “Juche”, or self-reliance. This ideology has shaped North Korea’s policies, and has been used as a justification for its isolationism and aggressive stance on foreign relations.
In line with this ideology, Kim Jong-un has made several efforts to put the country on a more equal footing with the West, such as engaging in high-level talks with US President Donald Trump. While these talks have led to some concessions from the North Korean side, it is unclear whether Kim Jong-un is willing to make any significant changes to North Korea’s political system.
On the domestic front, Kim Jong-un has also taken a hardline stance against dissent, employing a mixture of repression and propaganda to ensure that his hold on power remains firm. He has also given himself absolute control over the government, and has cracked down on any information that he deems to be subversive or that is critical of the regime.
Reign Over North Korea
Kim Jong-un has been in power since 2011, overseeing a period of relative stability in North Korea, though it has been characterized by increasingly tense relations with the West. Under his regime, North Korea has continued to develop its nuclear arsenal and military capabilities, as well as engage in tough rhetoric against foreign powers.
At the same time, Kim Jong-un has also taken some steps to improve relations with the West, engaging in high-level talks with US President Donald Trump and taking small steps to open the country’s economy. However, there are fears that the North Korean leader may be unwilling to make any further serious reforms.
On the domestic front, Kim Jong-un has continued to maintain tight control over the government and has cracked down on any dissent or criticism with an iron fist. Despite this, popular support for the regime remains strong, as the majority of North Koreans view the leader as the only one who can ensure their country’s survival in a hostile world.
Foreign Relations
Under the regime of Kim Jong-un, North Korea’s foreign relations have become increasingly tense and hostile. The leader has often lashed out against foreign powers and has even engaged in tit-for-tat military exchanges with South Korea.
The country is also increasingly isolated from the international community, with the US leading a “maximum pressure” campaign against North Korea in an effort to push it to denuclearize and reform its policies. The US has imposed harsh economic sanctions on the country and is yet to lift them, even as other countries have begun to open diplomatic dialogue with Pyongyang.
Kim Jong-un has also distanced himself from China, North Korea’s traditional ally, with the two countries’ relations becoming increasingly strained in recent years. However, relations between the two have improved somewhat in recent months, with China taking a more active role in the diplomatic process.
Although North Korea’s foreign relations remain strained, the country has still managed to maintain ties with a number of countries, including Russia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. It is also continuing to engage in talks with the US, though its policies remain largely unchanged and its nuclear arsenal remains intact.
Conclusion
Kim Jong-un has been the Prime Minister of North Korea since 2011, and has presided over a period of increasing tension with the West and a closed economy. He has invested heavily in the military and cracked down on any dissent or criticism, while also engaging in talks with US President Donald Trump.
Kim is widely viewed as an unpredictable leader with a suspicious view of the world and an unwavering devotion to North Korea’s authoritarian regime. He has absolute control over the government and it remains to be seen whether he is willing to make any further concessions in the future.
