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Kim Jong-il
Supreme Leader of North Korea (1994-2011)
Dictator Who Expanded Political Prison Camp System and Caused Mass Famine
Overview
Kim Jong-il ruled the Democratic People's Republic of Korea as Supreme Leader for 17 years. Under his rule, an estimated 600,000-2.5 million North Koreans died from famine (1994-1998) while he diverted resources to the military under his "Songun" (military-first) policy. He expanded the political prison camp (kwanliso) system holding 80,000-120,000 prisoners in conditions the UN characterized as comparable to Nazi concentration camps.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
North Korean famine (1994-1998) killed 600,000-2.5 million while he maintained lavish lifestyle and military spending
Expanded political prison camp system (kwanliso) to hold 80,000-120,000 prisoners including three generations of families
Prisoners in camps subjected to forced labor, starvation, torture, public executions, and human experimentation
Ordered kidnapping of foreign nationals including Japanese citizens and South Korean filmmaker Shin Sang-ok
Developed nuclear weapons program in violation of international agreements
Ordered the 2010 sinking of the South Korean corvette Cheonan killing 46 sailors
Ordered the 2010 shelling of Yeonpyeong Island killing 4 South Koreans
Maintained cult of personality requiring absolute worship; failure to display loyalty punished by imprisonment or death
Related Investigations (1)
Criminal Charges & Violations
3 documented violations
UN Commission of Inquiry on DPRK - Crimes Against HumanityPolicies of extermination, murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions, persecution, and enforced disappearances(Crimes Against Humanity)
International Covenant on Civil and Political RightsSystematic denial of all civil liberties and political rights to 25 million citizens(Human Rights Violations)
Convention on the Rights of the ChildImprisoning children in political prison camps through guilt-by-association policy(Crimes Against Humanity)
Known Associates & Connections
Kim Jong-un
Son and successor as Supreme Leader
Sources & Documentation
1 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- 1941-02-16
- Birthplace
- Vyatskoye, Soviet Union (official claim: Mount Paektu, Korea)
- Also Known As
- Dear Leader, Supreme Leader, Brilliant Leader
Education
- •Kim Il-sung University, Pyongyang
Key Timeline
1941-02-16
Born in Vyatskoye, Soviet Union
1980
Designated as successor to Kim Il-sung
1994-07-08
Assumes power after death of Kim Il-sung
1994-1998
North Korean famine kills 600,000-2.5 million
2006-10-09
First North Korean nuclear weapon test
2010-03-26
Orders sinking of Cheonan warship killing 46
2011-12-17
Dies of heart attack on his personal train