When Kim Jong-un took power in North Korea ten years ago, he was considered a blank slate. It is no longer that – on the contrary.
Kim is now working on a new 10-year plan. The important plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Labor Party has just started in the capital Pyongyang. The rulers of North Korea presented themselves much thinner than just a few months ago – but they still keep their agenda a secret. The world is looking forward to Pyongyang …
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/2011-kim-jong-un-vorne-links-salutiert-neben-dem-leichenwagen-mit-den-sterblichen-ueberresten-sein- 2ab5b21e14d24e00ad9543146fe9f313-78649036 / Bild / 14.bild.jpg “/> 2011: Kim Jong-un (front left) salutes next to the hearse with the remains of his deceased father and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il during a funeral procession in PyongyangPhoto: Uncredited/dpa
The fact is: Even after ten years in power, the dictator from Pyongyang is difficult to grasp as a person and statesman abroad.
In his own propaganda staging, the ruler likes to be affable and close to the people, but in fact Kim is considered an ice-cold despot of a state whose control and reprisals extend into all areas of life of the citizens.
Despite severe international sanctions that have been hampering the economic development of his country for years, Kim is sticking to the nuclear weapons program.
Kim Jong-u’s father, Kim Jong-il, died on December 17, 2011 as a result of a heart attack. With that his son actually took over the state affairs. However, it was only after a 13-day mourning period that he was officially proclaimed “Supreme Leader of our Party, the Military and the People” on December 29th. He was given the same dictatorial powers as his father and grandfather Kim Il-sung.
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/hier-war-kim-noch-der-dicktator—ein-foto-aus-dem-jahr-2017-d29e7228d0da454982f2df05afbe6dcb-78671754/ Image / 8.bild.jpg “/> Here Kim was still the DICKtator – a photo from 2017Photo: dpa
Kim’s road to power
What followed is described by observers as a phase of consolidation of power. Kim achieved this through political cleansing, to which numerous high-ranking officials including his uncle Jang Song Thaek fell victim.
When Kim took power in the totalitarian state, he was not even 30 years old. The neighboring countries worried at the time that a phase of instability could follow in the Stalinist-ruled North Korea. Kim Jong-un was largely unknown even in neighboring South Korea, and his political goals were unclear.
At home he was described by the inexhaustible state propaganda machine shortly after the seizure of power as the “genius of geniuses” – with that he should be above all doubt among his compatriots.
North Korea marked the 10th anniversary of Kim Jong-il’s death by appealing to the population and soldiers to remain completely loyal to their son.
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/kim-wirkte-zuletzt-schlanker-als-frueher-bd4c0fc545cf47a88bd2608e5b23b094-78673052/Bild/5.bild.jpg “/> Kim recently looked slimmer than beforePhoto: KCNA via KNS / dpa