It was an event filled with surprise to many when the current President of North Korea was officially announced on May 8, 2009. Kim Jong Un was appointed to the post and has been ruling North Korea ever since. He is the son and the successor of Kim Jong Il and grandson of Kim Il Sung, the perpetual president of North Korea. This hereditary strategy of North Korean rulers may be hard to understand and digest, but it is certain that Kim Jong Un is the present President of North Korea.
Kim Jong Un was born in north eastern Pyongyang either in 1984 or in 1985 and was groomed to succeed his father. It is believed that he spent some time in Switzerland, where he received his basic secondary education. He joined the prestigious Kim Il Sung Military University and even passed the entrance exam in the mid-2000s. Jong Un was rapidly promoted in the military and then in 2010, he was elected as the First Secretary of the Worker’s Party. He was appointed leader in 2011 as his father, Kim Jong Il died of a suspected stroke. It is said that he has made the country rich with investments from South East Asia, Russia, and China.
Experts believe that Jong Un’s vision of North Korea is often seen as arbitrary and it is still difficult to tell what his future vision of the country is. He appears to move his nation towards an isolationist model while still pursuing a combative foreign policy through its nuclear capability. His international presence is seen as provocative and often counter-productive to the West and even to other Asian nations. He has been seen as a major opponent against U.S. and its allies. In 2017, there was talk of a potential meeting between Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump, though Trump was forced to cancel the summit due to threats from the North Korean leader to pursue nuclear-powered strategy.
Jong Un has been an enthusiastic proponent of North Korea’s ongoing nuclear program and despite numerous attempts from other states to get them to calm down, he has held firmly to his stance that nuclear weapons are necessary for the betterment and progress of his country. This has caused increasing tension with other countries, particularly the United States. Despite the risk of war, he has been very successful in creating a sense of security for himself and the nation of North Korea.
To the surprise of many, President Kim Jong Un managed to revive the North Korean economy. He nationalised companies, promoted tourism and arts, facilitated private markets and created a new infrastructure. He has also tried to end the ‘malnutrition’ and poverty situation with every possible initiative. North Koreans enjoy a greater degree of freedom as compared to some of his predecessors as well. Kim Jong Un has allowed the state-run media to broadcast content featuring foreign models and actors.
One of the most powerful things that Kim Jong Un has been able to do is to transform the way North Korea is seen outside its borders. The perception of North Korea had been largely negative due to international condemnation of its nuclear weapons programme. However, under Jong Un’s reign, North Korea has taken a number of steps to make itself more palatable in the international community. Jong-Un has been able to tout improvements in living conditions, economic situation and foreign relations. He also managed to host some high-profile international summits. All these efforts have helped to soften the negative view of North Korea in the international community.
Military Power
The strongest strength of Kim Jong Un is thought to be his military capabilities. He has emphasized the use of weapons programs to maintain a sense of national security and to fear other countries. The North Korean military is the fifth largest in the world and the most powerful in East Asia. The Korean People’s Army (KPA) is renowned for its strength and military expertise, with an estimated 1.2 million personnel, and strong reserves of missiles and nuclear weapons.
Kim Jong Un has focused on modernizing and improving the North Korean military. He has invested in purchasing newer and more advanced weapons that can help maintain their security and combat foreign threats. He has also invested in improving North Korea’s cyber capabilities. As leader, Kim Jong Un can rely on the military to put down popular uprisings and protect the government from outside threats.
Opposition to foreign governments
Kim Jong Un is a known opponent to foreign governments. He has threatened the United States and its allies since he assumed power in 2011. His approach to foreign relations is seen as hostile and unpredictable which has led to several issues with other countries. As a result, North Korea has been heavily sanctioned by the United Nations. The country has been subject to a number of embargoes and sanctions designed to discourage North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, as well as its aggressive stance towards neighboring countries.
Kim Jong Un is also a strong advocate of self-reliance and isolationism. He has expressed strong distrust of foreign governments, seeing them as a threat to the country’s stability and identity. While the North has expressed interest in economic and military relations with other nations, the nation has been reluctant to participate in many major international initiatives.
Human Rights Violations
One of Kim Jong Un’s biggest problems is the human rights violations taking place in North Korea. It is likely that Kim Jong Un does not care about the violation of human rights as long as he is in power. He has shown little concern for the plight of his people, with many suffering in dire poverty, lack of access to basic utilities and clampdowns on freedom of expression.
The North Korean government is believed to be responsible for numerous cases of human rights violations. North Korean citizens suffer from oppressive regimes, lack of freedom, and sometimes even torture. There is also a lack of rule of law and residents often face arbitrary punishment, including punishment for political and religious beliefs.
Human rights activists around the world have condemned the actions of Kim Jong Un and his government. North Korean refugees have also provided evidence of the human rights abuses perpetrated by the regime. Despite the harsh condemnation, Kim Jong Un has won loyalty from his people through the promise of economic prosperity and the country is still a formidable force on the international scene.
International Sanctions
Kim Jong Un has faced international sanctions for his government’s refusal to surrender its nuclear weapons. The United Nations Security Council has imposed numerous economic and financial sanctions in response to Pyongyang’s nuclear program. This has resulted in a weakened economy, forcing North Korea to rely heavily on foreign aid to survive. This is further compounded by the increasing pressure from the international community to take actions to end their nuclear weapons program.
In addition to economic sanctions, North Korea has faced international condemnation for its human rights violations. The United Nations has passed several resolutions condemning the atrocities committed by the government. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and France have all condemned the human rights violations taking place in North Korea. This pressure has resulted in the United Nations imposing additional economic sanctions against North Korea.
Despite international pressure, Kim Jong Un has refused to yield to international demands. He is committed to maintaining a strong stance in the face of criticism and threats, expressing a strong sense of nationalism and patriotism among his people. This has led to a further entrenchment ofthe North Korean government and a further alienation of North Korea from the global community.
