Kim Jong-un
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Kim Jong-un

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Kim Jong-un
Kim Jong-un
Kim Jong-un is the supreme leader of North Korea, the third and youngest son of Kim Jong-il (1941–2011) and the grandson of Kim Il-sung (1912–1994). Following his father's death in 2011, he was announced as the "Great Successor" by North Korean state television. He has held the titles of the First Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Chairman of the Central Military Commission, First Chairman of the National Defence Commission of North Korea, the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army, and also a presidium member of the Central Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea.
Born
8 Jan 1983
Industry
Politics
Job Title
Leader of North Korea
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a military parade in Beijing in September. Photo: AP
Year in Review

SCMP Plus Year in Review 2025: China

As the year comes to a close, SCMP Plus highlights the biggest China-related stories of the year.

Year in Review

10 most read Daily Pulse briefings of 2025

North Korea

North Korea warns ‘mankind will face great disaster’ if Japan gets nuclear arms

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United States

Opinion | For Trump, the only communists to really dislike are those at home

The limited discussion of China in the new US national security document indicates that the US president’s focus is on domestic challenges to his authority.

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US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping talk as they leave after a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Busan, South Korea, on October 30. Photo: Reuters
North Korea

What North Korea’s war dead tribute reveals about Kim’s endgame

In Kim Jong-un’s public grief for fallen mine-clearers, observers see a strategic play to lock in a role in Russia’s post-war rebuilding.

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North Korea

Kim’s sister spotted with suspected luxury Chinese foldable phone

The device, seen at a hospital opening in North Korea, appears to be an ultra-thin ‘Magic’ foldable from Chinese tech giant Honor.

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China-South Korea relations

Is the US pushing South Korea to the fore in deterring a war over Taiwan?

Washington’s latest strategy urges allies to spend ‘much more for collective defence’ as it backs Seoul building nuclear-powered submarines.

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South Korean tanks cross a pontoon bridge over the Namhan River during a river crossing exercise in Yeoju on November 25. Photo: EPA
North Korea

North Korea’s Kim reveals soldiers cleared mines for Russia

The North Korean leader hailed returning troops for displaying ‘mass heroism’ during demining operations in the Kursk region.

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North Korea

North Korea promotes new beach resort to Chinese tourists in 2026 plan

The Wonsan beach resort and the Pyongyang Marathon highlight plans for Chinese visitors in a post-pandemic tourism push.

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South Korea

Why South Korea is powerless to revive Trump-Kim nuclear talks

Pyongyang wants nuclear recognition and analysts say Kim Jong-un is waiting on a Ukraine peace deal to boost his leverage with Washington.

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US President Donald Trump with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas in Panmunjom on June 30, 2019. Photo: Reuters
North Korea

Video | Russia’s long-serving North Korea envoy dies

Kim Jong-un sent his condolences to Russian leader Putin over the ambassador’s death.

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North Korea

Trump drops North Korea denuclearisation goal, hinting at talks with Kim

Trump strategy omits North Korea denuclearistation; Pyongyang calls goal meaningless, demands US drop ‘absurd pursuit’ of its nuclear weapons.

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North Korea

North Korea unveils new missiles, angles for Russian jets amid Ukraine war deal

Analysts say the event served a dual purpose: grooming Kim’s potential successor and angling for Russian jets as payment for Ukraine war aid.

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North Korea

North Korean air force to gain ‘strategic assets’ amid heightened tensions

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un says the air force will be entrusted with ‘a new important duty’ and play a role in nuclear war deterrence.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter, Ju-ae, watch an air show during an event to celebrate the Air Force’s 80th anniversary in Wonsan on Friday. Photo: KCNA/Reuters
Vietnam

Asian Angle | The hidden domestic agenda behind Vietnam’s baffling foreign policy

To Lam’s recent pilgrimages to North Korea and Cuba signal ideological loyalty, even as he pushes a hard-nosed reform agenda at home.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Vietnam’s To Lam (left) talk before a meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea, last month. Photo: VNA/AP
South Korea

‘Kill North Koreans’: posters urging South Koreans to join Ukraine war slammed

Images of the posters posted online tout benefits including high wages and ‘the legal right to kill North Koreans’.

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North Korea

North Korea’s nuclear arsenal shows ‘exponential growth’ in new satellite images

Renovations at Yongbyon seemingly prove Kim Jong-un is serious about expanding his arsenal – but Seoul has a bunker-busting response.

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South Korea

South Korea’s Lee warns of ‘dangerous situation’ with North

Lee urges dialogue with North Korea amid hostile relations and potential ‘accidental’ clashes.

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South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a press conference during the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, earlier this month. Photo: Reuters
United States

Opinion | How South Korea’s nuclear sub deal with US could torpedo inter-Korean peace

Seoul is clearly prioritising advancing its military capabilities with Washington’s help, rather than improving ties with Pyongyang.

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South Korea

‘Wipe them out’: Yoon’s dictatorial mindset evident before martial law attempt

The former South Korean president was already mulling a self-coup as early as six months into his term, indictment papers show.

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North Korea

‘Hostile to the end’: North Korea’s shock at US subs approval sinks talk hopes

Now the North sees the South as a ‘quasi-nuclear weapons state’ with US help, a fourth Trump-Kim summit appears less likely than ever.

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US President Donald Trump shakes hands with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung at a ceremony in Gyeongju, South Korea, on October 29. Photo: Getty Images/TNS/AFP
South Korea

Seoul’s backing of UN resolution tests limits of inter-Korean dialogue

Lee Jae-myung’s liberal government defies expectations of a retreat, in a move likely to trigger an angry reaction from Pyongyang.

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People look at pictures of North Koreans missing in North Korea during an exhibition in Seoul, South Korea, in October. Photo: EPA
South Korea

‘Create instability’: Yoon accused of provoking North Korea to justify coup

Memos show the ex-president’s intelligence chief contemplated strikes on Kim Jong-un’s private resort and nuclear facilities.

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China's military weapons

As US Pacific allies eye nuclear submarines, should China be concerned?

Australia, South Korea and Japan want to build the vessels, potentially complicating Beijing’s naval deterrence in the region, analysts say.

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South Korea

North Korea prepared for war after South’s drone mission to Pyongyang: report

Prosecutors have accused the former president of ordering the mission to provoke a security crisis that could help him cling to power.

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South Korean unmanned aerial vehicles on display during a media preview for the 76th Armed Forces Day at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi province, on September 25, 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE
North Korea

North Korea slams US for ‘wicked’ hostility over sanctions linked to cybercrime

The sanctions are part of US President Donald Trump’s strategy of applying pressure before negotiations, an analyst says.

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North Korea’s state-sponsored hacking schemes had stolen billions of dollars of mostly digital assets to help finance the country’s nuclear weapons programme, the US Treasury Department said. Photo: Shutterstock
North Korea

Reign check: is North Korea’s Kim Jong-un preparing daughter to take power?

South Korea’s intelligence agency says the 12-year-old Ju-ae is consolidating her position as a potential heir but analysts are doubtful.

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Japan

Takaichi mulls ‘any means necessary’ to bring North Korea-abducted Japanese home

Tokyo believes that some Japanese who were abducted by North Korea decades ago are still alive.

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