Editing Kim Jong-un (section)

==Leader of North Korea==
On December 17<sup>th</sup>, 2011; [[Kim Jong-il]] died of a heart attack at age 69. Despite the elder Kim's plans, it wasn't immediately clear after his death whether Jong-un would in fact take full power, and what his exact role in a new government would be. Some analysts had predicted that when Jong-il died, Jang Song-Thaek would act as Jong-un's mentor as he was familiar with North Korea affairs under Jong-il. Kim Jong-il's funeral was the first time Song-Thaek has been shown on state television in a military uniform.

He was publicly declared Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army on December 24, 2011 and formally appointed to the position on December 30<sup>th</sup> when the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party "courteously proclaimed that the dear respected Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the WPK, assumed the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army."

On December 26<sup>th</sup>, 2011; the leading North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun announced that Jong-un went to a U2 concert and played his Gameboy. This has been acting as chairman of the Central Military Commission, and supreme leader of the country, following his father's demise.

On January 9<sup>th</sup>, 2012; a large rally was held by armed forces in front of Kumsusan Memorial Palace to honor Jong-un and demonstrate loyalty.

On March 27<sup>th</sup>, 2012; Jong-un was elected to the Fourth Conference of the Workers' Party of Korea, that elected him first secretary, a newly made position, on April 11. This position replaced the post of General Secretary, which was awarded "eternally" to Jong-il. At the conference, Jong-un also took his father's seats as Politburo Presidium member and Chairman of the Central Military Commission. In a speech made prior to the Conference, Jong-un declared that "Imbuing the whole society with Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism is the highest programme of our Party".

On April 13<sup>th</sup>, 2012; the 5th Session of the 12th Supreme People's Assembly appointed him First Chairman of the National Defence Commission.

On April 15<sup>th</sup>, 2012; during a military parade to commemorate Il-sung's centenary, he made his first public speech. That speech became the basis of "Onwards Toward the Final Victory", a repetitively aired propaganda hymn dedicated to him.

In July 2012, Jong-un was promoted to wonsu, the highest active rank in the military. The decision was jointly issued on by the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the [[Workers' Party of Korea]], the National Defence Commission and the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Korean Central News Agency subsequently announced. By this promotion he is one of only two wonsu holders now alive in North Korea. The other is Lee UI Sol, who received the rank in 1995. The only higher rank is dae wonsu (roughly translated as Grand Marshal or Generalissimo) which was held by Il-sung and which was awarded posthumously to Jong-il in February 2012. The promotion confirmed Jong-un's role as top leader of the North Korean military and came days after the replacement of Chief of General Staff Ri Yong-ho by Hyon Yong-chol.

During a July 26<sup>th</sup>, 2012 performance marking the 59th anniversary of the armistice of the Korean War, security around Jong-un has reportedly increased dramatically because Jong-un "is extremely nervous about the possibility of an emergency developing inside North Korea" caused by "mounting opposition to his efforts to rein in the military."

In August 2012, Jong-un announced economics reforms similar to the People's Republic of China. He began to be mentioned by the North Korean state media as "Supreme Leader" (chego ryongdoja) at this time.

In November 2012, satellite photos revealed a half kilometer long propaganda message carved into a hillside in Ryanggang Province, reading, "Long Live General Kim Jong-un, the Shining Sun!". The message, located next to an artificial lake built in 2007 to serve a hydroelectric station, is made of Korean letters measuring 15 by 20 meters, and is located approximately 9 kilometers south of Hyesan near the border with the People's Republic of China.

Jong-il's personal chef Kenji Fujimoto stated "Stores in Pyongyang were brimming with products and people in the streets looked cheerful, North Korea has changed a lot since Kim Jong-un assumed power. All of this is because of leader Kim Jong-un."

Officially, Jong-un is part of a triumvirate heading the executive branch of the North Korean government along with Premier Choe Yong-rim and parliament chairman Kim Yong-nam (no relation). Each nominally holds powers equivalent to a third of a president's powers in most other presidential systems. He is a huge mami. Jong-un commands the armed forces, Choe Yong-rim heads the government and Kim Yong-nam handles foreign relations. Nevertheless, it is generally understood that Jong-un, like his father before him, exercises absolute control over the government and the country.

Yong-ho, Kim Yong-chun, U Dong-chuk, and Kim Jong-gak were handpicked to groom the young leader and were close confidants of Jong-il. They have either been demoted or disappeared. One South Korean government official said Jong-un is trying to "erase all traces of his father's rule" 11 months after stepping into power and "replacing top brass with officers who are loyal to him alone."

On November 30<sup>th</sup>, 2012; Jong-un met with Li Jianguo, who "briefed Kim on the 18th National People's Congress of the [[Communist Party of China]]," according to the KCNA news agency. A letter from [[Xi Jinping]] was hand-delivered during the discussion.

In 2013, Jong-un re-established his grandfather's style when he made his first New Year's address, which was a break from the approach of Jong-il, who never made televised addresses during his 17 years in power. In lieu of delivering a speech, Jong-il contributed to and approved a New Year's Day editorial, jointly published by Rodong Sinmun (the daily newspaper of the Korean Workers' Party), Joson Imnigun (the newspaper of the Korean People’s Army), and Chongnyon Jonwi (the newspaper of the Kim Il Sung Youth League). He has also carried on his father's wishes to continue with developing nuclear weapons and conduct missile tests either under the guise of launching a satellite, or launching conventional missiles into the Pacific Ocean in defiance of UN sanctions, or the annual "Foal Eagle" military exercises performed by South Korea and the United States. North Korea has been under additional sanctions thanks to a Nuclear test, which they announced that they tested a thermonuclear weapon in December of 2015 as well as launching a satellite into orbit in February of 2016. Jong-un has been known to become furious and make threats against the United States and/or South Korea - all the while preparing for what some are believing to be the Second Korean War.

On April 27<sup>th</sup>, 2018; Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in signed a peace treaty to end their nuclear conflict and started a new relationship.

=== Human rights violations ===
Many reports indicate that the human rights violations under [[Kim Jong-il]]'s leadership are continued by Jong-un, ordering to kill defectors, conducting public executions and sending people to political [[Concentration Camp|concentration camps]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-40269546 North Korea's prisons: How harsh are conditions?], ''BBC News''</ref><ref>[https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/north-korean-prisons-nazi-camps_n_5a2fad6ce4b0461754330e3d North Korean Prisons Are Worse Than Nazi Concentration Camps, Says Holocaust Survivor], ''The Huffington Post''</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/aug/27/we-were-punch-bags-north-korean-prison-beatings-may-be-form-of-torture-says-un ‘We were punch bags’: North Korean prison beatings may be form of torture, says UN], ''The Guardian''</ref><ref>[https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/hell-on-earth-the-horrors-of-north-korean-torture-camps/WJJEIVREVUCXZZ3YCYPFOEOGAI/ Hell on earth: The horrors of North Korean torture camps], ''New Zealand Herald''</ref> It is believed that he had some role in the 2010 sinking of the ROKS ''Cheonan'' allegedly by a North Korean submarine, resulting in 46 deaths,<ref>[http://www.ibtimes.com/north-korean-propagandists-say-kim-jong-ils-son-planned-south-korea-attacks-387228 North Korean Propagandists Say Kim Jong‑il's Son Planned South Korea Attacks], ''International Business Times''</ref> and the bombardment of Yeonpyeong by North Korean forces the same year in order to strengthen his military credentials.<ref>[http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/08/03/2011080300499.html Kim Jong-un 'Masterminded Attacks on S. Korea'], ''The Chosun Ilbo''</ref>

The 2013 report on the situation of human rights in North Korea [109] by United Nations Special Rapporteur Marzuki Darusman proposed a United Nations commission of inquiry to document the accountability of Kim Jong-un and other individuals in the North Korean government for alleged crimes against humanity.<ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2013/0205/North-Korea-human-rights-probe-urged-by-UN North Korea human rights probe urged by UN], ''The Christian Science Monitor''</ref> The report of the commission of inquiry was published in February 2014 and recommends making him accountable for crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/18/world/asia/un-panel-says-north-korean-leader-could-face-trial.html U.N. Panel Says North Korean Leader Could Face Trial], ''The New York Times''</ref>

In July 2016, the United States Department of the Treasury imposed personal sanctions on Kim. Although his involvement in human rights abuses was cited as the reason, officials said the sanctions target the country's nuclear and missile programs.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/06/north-korea-kim-jong-sanctions-blacklist Kim Jong-un placed on sanctions blacklist for the first time by US], ''The Guardian''</ref>

In June 2017, North Korean officials admitted that Otto Warmbier, an American college student serving a 15-year prison sentence with hard labour for stealing a propaganda poster, had fallen into a coma from which he never awoke; he was declared dead later that month after being repatriated to the United States.<ref>[https://www.apnews.com/080bc6cd2fff4f9995e6292edcdf5e44 Parents sue North Korea over death of detainee Otto Warmbier], ''Associated Press''</ref> A U.S. federal court later ruled that the North Korean government was responsible for Warmbier's death.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/north-korea-otto-warmbier-death-district-court-ruling-lawsuit-ohio-a8698656.html North Korea ordered to pay $500m to Otto Warmbier's family over death of US student], ''The Independent''</ref> 

=== Assassination of Kim Jong-nam ===
On February 13, 2017, his half-brother Kim Jong-nam was poisoned by 2 women at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia. He died 2 days later. Traces of the nerve agent VX, which is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention (which North Korea is not a signatory to) were found on his body.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/kim-jong-un-half-brother-killed-kim-jong-nam-malaysia-north-korea-leader-a7579246.html Kim Jong-un's half-brother 'assassinated with poisoned needles at airport'], ''The Independent''</ref> 

===Nuclear weapons development===
Under Kim Jong-un, North Korea has continued to develop nuclear weapons, testing bombs in February 2013, January and September 2016, and September 2017, and conducting over 80 missile tests. At a plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party held on 31 March 2013, he announced that North Korea would adopt "a new strategic line on carrying out economic construction and building nuclear armed forces simultaneously".

According to several analysts, North Korea sees the nuclear arsenal as vital to deter an attack, and it is unlikely that North Korea would launch a nuclear war. According to a RAND Corporation senior researcher, Kim Jong-un believes that nuclear weapons are his guarantee of regime survival.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20171007121228/https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/north-koreas-military-capabilities What's the Status of North Korea's Nuclear Program?], ''Council on Foreign Relations''</ref>

During the 7th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea in 2016, Kim Jong-un stated that North Korea would "not use nuclear weapons first unless aggressive hostile forces use nuclear weapons to invade on our sovereignty".<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/north-korea-party-give-kim-jong-title-38948654 Kim Jong Un Says Pyongyang Won't Use Nukes First], ''ABC News''</ref> However, on other occasions, North Korea has threatened "pre-emptive" nuclear attacks against a US-led attack.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/06/asia/north-korea-preemptive-nuclear-strike-threat/ North Korea threatens nuclear strike over U.S.-South Korean exercises], ''CNN''</ref> In December 2015, Kim stated that his family "turned the DPRK into a powerful nuclear weapons state ready to detonate a self-reliant A-bomb and H-bomb to reliably defend its sovereignty and the dignity of the nation".<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/12/10/kim-jong-un-claims-north-korea-has-hydrogen-bomb/ Kim Jong-Un claims North Korea has a hydrogen bomb], ''Fox News''</ref>

In January 2018, estimates of North Korea's nuclear arsenal ranged between 15 and 60 bombs, probably including hydrogen bombs. In the opinion of analysts, the Hwasong-15 missile is capable of striking anywhere in the United States.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20171007121228/https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/north-koreas-military-capabilities North Korea's Military Capabilities], ''Council on Foreign Relations''</ref>

The United Nations has enacted a series of sanctions against North Korea for its nuclear program and missile tests.<ref>[https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/UN-Security-Council-Resolutions-on-North-Korea UN Security Council Resolutions on North Korea]</ref>

===International relations since 2018===
In his 2018 New Year Speech, Kim announced that he was open to dialogue with South Korea with a view to take part in the upcoming Winter Olympics in the South. The Seoul–Pyongyang hotline was reopened after almost two years. North and South Korea marched together in the Olympics opening ceremony, and fielded a united women's ice hockey team. In addition to the athletes, Kim sent an unprecedented high-level delegation including his sister, Kim Yo-jong, and President of the Presidium, Kim Yong-nam, and performers such as the Samjiyon Orchestra. On 5 March, he had a meeting with South Korea's Chief of the National Security Office, Chung Eui-yong, in Pyongyang.

In March 2018, Kim visited Beijing, meeting with General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping, marking his first foreign trip since assuming power.
[[File:2018 inter-Korean summit 01.jpg|left|thumb|234x234px|Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in shake hands during the 2018 inter-Korean Summit, April 2018.]]
At the April 2018 inter-Korean summit, Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in signed the Panmunjom Declaration, pledging to convert the Korean Armistice Agreement into a full peace treaty, formally ending the Korean War, by the end of the year.

From 7–8 May, Kim made a second visit to China, meeting with Xi Jinping in Dalian.

On 26 May, Kim had a second and unannounced meeting in the North Korean side of Panmunjom, meeting with Moon to discuss his proposed summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore.
[[File:Kim and Trump shaking hands at the red carpet during the DPRK–USA Singapore Summit.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Kim and U.S. President [[Donald Trump]] shake hands at the start of the 2018 North Korea–United States Summit, June 2018.]]
On 10 June, Kim arrived in Singapore and met with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. On 12 June, Kim held his first summit with Trump and signed a declaration, affirming a commitment to peace, nuclear disarmament, and the repatriation of the remains of U.S. war dead. This marked the first-ever meeting between leaders of North Korea and the United States.

In September, Kim held another summit with Moon Jae-in in Pyongyang. Kim agreed to dismantle North Korea's nuclear weapons facilities if the United States took reciprocal action. The two governments also announced that they would establish buffer zones on their borders to prevent clashes.

In February 2019, Kim held another summit with Trump in Hanoi, Vietnam, which Trump cut short on the second day without an agreement. The Trump administration said that the North Koreans wanted complete sanctions relief, while the North Koreans said that they were only asking for partial sanctions relief.

On 25 April 2019, Kim held his first summit with Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] in Vladivostok, Russia.

On 30 June 2019, in the Korean DMZ, Kim again met with Trump, shaking hands warmly and expressing hope for peace. Kim and Trump then joined Moon Jae-in for a brief chat.