Kim Jong Il

Date of Birth: February 16, 1941 (official North Korean sources claim February 16, 1942)

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: December 17, 2011

Biography

Kim Jong Il was a North Korean political leader who served as the Supreme Leader of North Korea from 1994 to 2011. Born in Vyatskoye, Russia, Kim was the son of Kim Il Sung, the founding leader of North Korea. He was officially designated as his father’s successor in 1980 and took over leadership following Kim Il Sung’s death in 1994. Kim Jong Il’s rule was characterized by an emphasis on military-first (Songun) policies, strict control over the economy, and significant human rights abuses. Kim Jong Il was noted for his reclusive lifestyle and was seldom seen in public. His leadership period saw North Korea isolated on the international stage, with continued tensions over its nuclear program. Despite an economy crippled by mismanagement and sanctions, Kim Jong Il maintained a powerful propaganda apparatus that portrayed him as a near-divine figure. He passed away in December 2011, and his son, Kim Jong Un, succeeded him.

5 Interesting Facts about Kim Jong Il

1. Kim Jong Il was an avid film buff and reportedly owned a collection of over 20,000 movies.

2. He was known for his extravagant tastes, including a fondness for fine cognac and gourmet foods.

3. Kim Jong Il authored several works, including “On the Art of the Cinema,” which outlines his views on filmmaking.

4. He was said to have a fear of flying and preferred to travel by train, even for international trips.

5. During his rule, North Korea experienced a devastating famine in the 1990s, which led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Kim Jong Il

1. “The revolution is carried out by means of one’s thought, not through one’s family background.”

2. “We oppose the reactionary policies of the U.S. government but we do not oppose the American people. We want to have many good friends in the United States.”

3. “You cannot improve one thing by 1000% but you can improve 1000 little things by 1%.”

4. “A film without music is like a car without an engine.”

5. “The cinema is the most powerful and effective medium for educating the masses in the spirit of socialism.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Kim Jong Il’s highest net worth is estimated to have been around $4 billion, according to various reports.

Children

Kim Jong Il had several children from different relationships. His known children include: – Kim Jong Nam (1971–2017), his eldest son, who was assassinated in Malaysia in 2017. – Kim Jong Chul (b. 1981), his second son, who is not involved in politics. – Kim Jong Un (b. 1984), his third son, who succeeded him as the Supreme Leader of North Korea. – Kim Yo Jong (b. 1987), his daughter, who holds significant political influence in North Korea.