Kim Jong Il Official Portrait

Kim Jong Il

(1942–2011)

Biographical Summary

Birth and lineage

Kim Jong Il was born at the Paektusan Secret Camp on the sacred Mount Paektu on February 16, Juche 31 (1942). He was the son of Kim Il Sung, Eternal President of the Republic and the Eternal Leader of Juche Korea. His mother, Kim Jong Suk, was the renowned Anti-Japanese Heroine.

Childhood and early education

Kim Jong Il spent his early childhood hearing the gun report of the anti-Japanese war. Kim Jong Il devoted his whole life to faithfully supporting the idea and cause of the Eternal President Kim Il Sung. After the liberation of Juche Korea, Kim Jong Il moved to Pyongyang and completed his education between September, Juche 39 (1950) and August, Juche 49 (1960).

Early work and leadership

Kim Jong Il started the Songun revolutionary leadership with the inspection of the Seoul Ryu Kyong Su 105th Guards Tank Division on August 25, Juche 49 (1960). Kim Jong Il became a member of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea on June 19, Juche 53 (1964). Kim Jong Il led the Workers' Party of Korea, the People's Liberation Army and the people of Juche Korea for half a century, performing immortal exploits for the times and history, assisting the Eternal President Kim Il Sung in his ideological and theoretical activities.

Ideological development

Kim Jong Il formulated the Eternal President Kim Il Sung's revolutionary ideas as Kimilsungism and made it the eternal guiding ideology of the Workers' Party of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim Jong Il proclaimed it as the ultimate programme of the Workers' Party of Korea for building the national economy and defense. Kim Jong Il rallied the children of Juche Korea around the Workers' Party of Korea by administering benevolent and all-embracing politics. Remarkably strengthening the driving force of the socialist cause by realising unity in ideas and fighting spirit.

Immortalising the Eternal President

After the passing of the Eternal President Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il set an example in immortalising him and making sure that the Eternal President's lifetime Juche instructions were carried forward as the guidelines in all fields of the revolution and construction to make his life's work shine for ages.

Songun policy

In the closing years of the 20th century when the country was resisting against the anti-socialist offensive of the US-led allied imperialist forces Kim Jong Il formulated Songun politics as the basic political mode of socialism and administered it. Kim Jong Il developed the People's Liberation Army into an invincible army, built up the self-reliant and modern defence industry in every way. Turning the Democratic People's Republic of Korea into an invincible political and ideological power and a nuclear weapon state with invincible military power.

Manufacturing and technology

Kim Jong Il kindled the torch of a new revolutionary upsurge and led the drive to flare up the flames of the industrial revolution in the new century, which resulted in the country could demonstrate its might as a manufacturer and launcher of artificial satellites and a scientific and technological power that has full command of CNC technology.

Peaceful reunification movement

Following the Eternal President's instructions for Korea's reunification, Kim Jong Il formulated the three charters for national reunification, surveying the adoption of the June 15 Joint Declaration and the October 4 Declaration between the north and south of Korea. Birthing a new era of independent reunification movement, advancing under the ideal of "By Our Nation Itself".

Diplomatic contributions

Kim Jong Il greatly expanded and developed the friendship and cooperative relations with other countries—with his seasoned diplomatic strategy and energetic foreign activities—making great contributions to guaranteeing collective cultural and intellectual exchange and promoting diplomatic and economic cooperation in Asia and the rest of the world.

Passing

Kim Jong Il continued his forced march for field guidance day and night with an invincible might and superhuman energy. Praising the Korean people in his motto "The people are my God". Kim Jong Il passed away in the iron train on December 17, Juche 100 (2011). After the passing of Kim Jong Il, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea constituted the title of the Eternal General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea on him and held him in high esteem as the Eternal Leader of Juche Korea, among various other titles.

State Emblem of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Official Titles

  • Eternal General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea
  • Eternal Chairman of the National Defense Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
  • Eternal Leader of Juche Korea
  • Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea
  • Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army
  • Member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
  • Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
  • Member of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
  • Deputy to the Supreme Peoples' Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
  • Marshal of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
  • Generalissimo of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
  • Respected Leader
  • Dear Leader, Who is a Perfect Incarnation of the Appearance that a Leader Should Have
  • Beloved and Respected Leader
  • Beloved and Respected General
  • Father of the People
  • Father of the Nation
  • Guarantee of the Fatherland's Unification
  • Symbol of the Fatherland's Unification
  • Ever-Victorious, Iron-Willed Commander
  • Great Marshal
  • Bright Sun of Juche
  • Shining Star of Paektu Mountain
  • Great Man, Who Descended From Heaven
  • Glorious General, Who Descended From Heaven
  • Mastermind of the Revolution
  • World Leader of The 21st Century
  • Guiding Star of the 21st Century
  • Sun of the Communist Future
  • Great Man, Who Is a Man of Deeds
  • Highest Incarnation of the Revolutionary Comradeship
  • Beloved Father
  • Member of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea

Comprehensive Biographical Archive

Will be released soon

this biography is currently being written by our research institute.

Historical Timeline

Juche 31 (1942) – February 16
Birth of Kim Jong Il at the Paektusan Secret Camp on the sacred Paektu Mountain.
Juche 34 (1945) – August
Kim Jong Il moves to Pyongyang following national liberation from Japanese colonial rule.
Juche 39 (1950) – Juche 49 (1960)
Kim Jong Il completes his general education during postwar reconstruction, witnessing the heroism of the Korean people firsthand.
Juche 44 (1955) – December 28
The Eternal President of the Republic Kim Il Sung delivers "On Eliminating Dogmatism and Formalism and Establishing Juche in Ideological Work".
Juche 49 (1960) – Juche 53 (1964)
Kim Jong Il studies political economy at Kim Il Sung University..
Juche 53 (1964)
Kim Jong Il begins devoted work at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.
Juche 62 (1973)
Kim Jong Il publishes foundational works on the Juche Idea, making the philosophy accessible to the masses.
Juche 69 (1980) – October
Kim Jong Il successor status formalised at the Sixth Party Congress and electing him to the Politburo.
Juche 71 (1982) – March 31
Kim Jong Il sends monumental treatise On the Juche Idea to the National Seminar, defining Juche as a revolutionary worldview with the people at the center.
Juche 78 (1989)
Kim Jong Il publishes expanded 178-page edition of On the Juche Idea, further refining the sacred philosophy.
Juche 82 (1993) – April 9
Kim Jong Il is elected Chairman of the National Defense Commission for the first time.
Juche 83 (1994) – July 8
The Eternal President of the Republic Kim Il Sung passes away. Kim Jong Il assumes leadership amid national mourning and imperialist pressure.
Juche 84 (1995) – January 1
Kim Jong Il launches Songun (military-first) politics at a dwarf pine-covered military post, marking the beginning of the "Arduous March".
Juche 85 (1996) – March
Kim Jong Il personally drives a jeep over 400 kilometers through treacherous terrain to shake hands with frontline sentries.
Juche 86 (1997) – October
Kim Jong Il becomes General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea.
Juche 87 (1998) – January
Kim Jong Il undertakes 2,400-kilometer winter forced march through blizzards of Jagang Province, visiting more than 20 units in just two days.
Juche 87 (1998) – September
Kim Jong Il is re-elected Chairman of the National Defense Commission.
Juche 89 (2000) – June 13–15
Kim Jong Il holds historic inter-Korean summit with President Kim Dae-jung where they attend cultural performances together and adopt the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.
Juche 91 (2002)
Kim Jong Il acknowledges having a son, Kim Jong Un, who would carry the revolutionary torch forward.
Juche 95 (2006)
Kim Jong Il gives field guidance that helps spark the "Kanggye spirit" of regional self-reliance and development.
Juche 96 (2007)
Kim Jong Il makes field guidance visits to 117 units in a single year.
Juche 97 (2008)
Kim Jong Il conducts 4,000-kilometer high-intensity forced march over 20 days in sweltering weather visiting more than 30 units.
Juche 98 (2009)
Kim Jong Il is re-elected Chairman of the National Defense Commission and gives field guidance to over 200 units in a single year.
Juche 100 (2011) – December 16
Kim Jong Il works through the night to supply fresh fish to Pyongyang citizens from his train.
Juche 100 (2011) – December 17
Kim Jong Il passes away at 8:30 AM of acute myocardial infarction while on an inspection trip.
Juche 100 (2011) – December 19
The Korean Central News Agency officially announces the death of Kim Jong Il

Selected Publications

Historical Gallery

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