Kim Jong-il (Korean: 김정일) was the leader of North Korea (DPRK) until his death in 2012. He was then succeeded by his son Kim Jong-un.
History[]
Kim Jong-il was considered the heir apparent of his father in 1980, and at that time he effectively had control over the Workers’ Party of Korea, and authorized operations such as bombings that led to several incidents with South Korea.
As the North Korean economy began to decline in the mid-1980s, so did Kim Il Sung’s health. He died in 1994, and his son took over as the Chairman of the National Defence Commission. Severe famine, economic mismanagement and the collapse of the Eastern Bloc led to the complete militarization of the economy, with the party assuming a marginal role and the Korean People's Army being put first in all cases.[1] In early 2000s, the economy stabilized.
Kim Jong-il was the focus of a strong cult of personality and was even more notable for his erratic behavior and bizarre policies. However, many people who have met him regard him as informed and not delusional, and was considered a dangerous figure to his nation's neighbors and to the western world.[2]
Kim Jong-il had three sons, each from a different mother. His youngest son Kim Jong-un grew up in the North and would later receive a Swiss education. In 2002, U.S. President George Bush included North Korea in his "Axis of Evil" speech, initiating a strong foreign policy stance against North Korea.
After North Korea's nuclear test in 2011, it was reported that Kim Jong-il was not seen in public for several months. On 2 January 2012, North Korea's main news outlet announced his death due to a sudden fatal stroke. His death initially brought a level of cautious optimism in Seoul.[3]
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- In reality, Kim Jong-il died from a heart attack on December 17, 2011; two weeks away from making Homefront's prediction to become reality.[4]
- Kim Jong-il is removed from the Japanese version of Homefront.[5]
References[]
- ↑ Juche Ideology
- ↑ Profile: Kim Jong-il
- ↑ North Korean Dictator reported dead
- ↑ Plunkett, Luke. (18 December 2011) "Video Game Almost Predicted Kim Jong-Il's Death". Kotaku.
- ↑ Ashcraft , Brian (18 February 2011). "Japan Cannot Pretend Kim Jong-il Is Dead". Kotaku.