North Korea, an isolated Communist nation, is ruled by the Kim Family, from grandfather Kim II-Sung to grandson Kim Jong-Un. The current President of North Korea is the third member of the Kim family to hold the office and he is Kim Jong-Un.
Kim Jong-Un was born on the 8th of January 1982 and is the son of the late Kim Jong-Il and the grandson of the late Kim II-Sung. He has a younger sister and two half-brothers who are all half-siblings.
However, Kim Jong-Un is the first family member to be born in North Korea who has gone on to hold a political role. He studied in Switzerland, however could not converse with his peers very well due to his unfamiliarity with the language and the Swiss culture.
Kim Jong-Un was appointed to his position in April of 2012. He made it known that his reign will be based around his grandfather’s philosophy, called Juche, which is a form of self-reliance and loyalty towards the North Korean state and military.
Kim Jong-Un is seen as quite a controversial figure. His focus on the military has led some to question his judgement. In rumours, it has even been said that his father once attempted to rein him in for fear of the power Kim Jong-un was becoming too enmeshed with.
Others say that under Kim Jong-Un the North Korean economy has seen some improvements, due to his willingness to open the nation up to foreign investments, as well as possibily to the approach he has taken with the Chinese government. Kim Jong-Un is described as being incredibly determined and ambitious, and it appears that he will do anything to further the interests of North Korea.
Kim Jong-Un has also made waves in the international community with his aggressive and sometimes unpredictable tone. He has repeatedly refused to engage in dialogue with South Korea and the United States, and instead opted for more aggressive actions such as missile tests and a nuclear weapons programme. This has caused tension between North Korea, the United States and its regional neighbours, making Kim Jong-Un a lightning rod for criticism in the international community.
Domestic Policies
Kim Jong-Un is widely known for his domestic policies which often involve military centric moves. He has implemented a number of economic, agricultural, and technological programs that are designed to strengthen the country, while also building up the military presence in North Korea. Under his rule, North Korea’s food production has improved, as well as foreign investment in the country.
The North Korean military has also seen a number of improvements and expansions, with modern military equipment now seen in daily military drills. There have been reports of a new Intercontinental Ballistic Missile that North Korea is working on, however the US has questioned whether North Korea is actually trying to create a nuclear weapon or not.
Kim Jong-Un has also reportedly loosened restrictions on the use of the internet, although the internet is heavily censored, it is still very limited in what is available to the general public. Access to the internet is still only granted to an elite group of people, usually those in positions of power. There have also been reports of Kim Jong-Un making use of social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter.
Relations With South Korea
Kim Jong-Un’s relationship with South Korea is complicated, with a number of different tensions in play. In 2018, the two leaders held a historic summit in Pyongyang, and agreed to various cooperation projects including a joint bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. However, the tensions have since resumed, with North Korea continuing its nuclear weapons program, and South Korea continuing to criticize North Korea for its human rights abuses.
Kim Jong-Un had previously refused to discuss North Korea’s nuclear program, insisting instead that the US withdraw its troops from the South and end economic sanctions first. However, in 2019, North and South Korea announced that they would hold another summit. South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in has expressed his willingness to work with Kim Jong-Un to improve the relationship between the two countries.
Despite the current tensions, Kim Jong-Un remains optimistic about the long-term future of Korea. He has said that his aim is for a united Korean peninsula and that the two countries should work together to achieve that goal.
Relations With The US
Kim Jong-Un’s relationship with the US is complex at best, with the US imposing sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear weapons program and its violation of human rights. In 2017, Kim Jong-Un and US President Donald Trump met for the first time during a summit in Singapore, with both sides announcing that they had agreed to work towards denuclearization.
The personal relationship between Trump and Kim Jong-Un has been seen as a positive change by some, with Trump at one point even saying that he and Kim Jong-Un “fell in love”. However, the progress they had made in denuclearization has stalled, with both sides still at odds over how to proceed.
Kim Jong-Un has also taken a hard stance towards the joint military exercises conducted between South Korea and the US, and has continued to threaten the US with a military response if they do not meet North Korea’s demands.
Judgement and Pariah
Kim Jong-Un is not without his critics, with many seeing him as a pariah leader, and accusing him of being a dictator and oppressive ruler who has no regard for human rights. Despite his willingness to engage with foreign countries, critics remain skeptical about his true intentions, saying that he has no intention of actually pursuing change, and that he is only using negotiations to buy time.
Many have also accused Kim Jong-Un of pursuing a cult of personality policy, a move that has reportedly made it difficult for opposition parties to function. He has also consolidated power under himself, something that has concerned pro-democratic reformers.
Kim Jong-Un may be a controversial and highly divisive figure, but he is undoubtedly the leader of North Korea and will remain that way until his reign is broken.
Limitations of Power
While Kim Jong-Un undoubtedly has a lot of power in North Korea, he is not invincible. He is opposed by South Korea, the US and its regional neighbours, as well as from within his own population. His policies have been met with criticism from all sides, with many seeing him as a figure who has too much control over the country and its people.
There have also been a number of criticisms over his styles of leadership, with many referencing the brutal purges of his own political rivals. Many have speculated that Kim Jong-Un’s rule may not last much longer, especially with the increasing international pressure from the US and its allies.
Kim Jong-Un also has to contend with the growing discontent among the North Korean people. Reports of poverty, food shortages and human rights abuses have been coming out of the country, and while Kim Jong-Un has attempted to address these issues, they remain a source of tension.
Conclusion
Kim Jong-Un remains the President of North Korea and is seen as a controversial figure both domestically and internationally. He has taken a hard stance against the US and its regional neighbours, while also attempting to open up the nation to foreign investment. He is also in a difficult situation due to increasing international pressure, as well as domestic discontent.
