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
The presidents of China and South Korea are expected to meet in Beijing next week. Photo: AFP
China-South Korea relations

South Korea’s Lee Jae-myung to visit China on economic and nuclear mission

The pragmatic president is seeking to balance relations with Beijing while keeping Washington onside.

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North Korea

North Korea tests long-range cruise missiles after nuclear submarine progress

North Korea

‘Maximum deterrence’: why North Korea just revealed its new nuclear submarine

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Diplomacy

Opinion | Seoul holds the key to US-North Korea denuclearisation talks

South Korea is taking steps to cool tensions – from moving to opening joint military drills to consultations to easing up on immediate denuclearisation demands.

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President Donald Trump with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung at a dinner event in Gyeongju, South Korea, on October 29. Photo: AP
South Korea

South Korean webtoon slammed for heroine resembling Kim Jong-un’s daughter Ju-ae

Critics say the romantic comedy ‘Princess Goes to School’ risks softening perceptions of North Korea’s regime.

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Korean peninsula

Video | Kim Jong-un visits new resort with daughter

The new facilities feature indoor and outdoor baths, as well as barbecue restaurants.

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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.

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

10 most read Daily Pulse briefings of 2025

SCMP Plus looks back at the year’s 10 most popular Daily Pulse bulletins, covering China issues related to diplomacy, trade and economics.

North Korea

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

Pyongyang’s state media said Tokyo’s potential move ‘must be prevented at any cost’.

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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 Korean leader Kim Jong-un pays his respects in front of portraits of soldiers killed during an overseas deployment in Russia’s Kursk region, during a ceremony in Pyongyang on Friday. Photo: AFP
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.

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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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 Korean leader Kim Jong-un hugs a soldier from the Korean People’s Army’s 528th Regiment of Engineers in a photo released on Saturday. Photo: KCNA/AFP
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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Domestic tourists visit the beach at Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area in Wonsan, North Korea on July 1. Photo: AFP
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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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 Korean leader Kim Jong-un (right) and US President Donald Trump inside the demilitarized zone separating South and North Korea in June 2019. Photo: TNS
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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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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Servicemen pay tribute next to the coffins of slain South Korean and American volunteer soldiers in Kyiv on Tuesday, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Photo: AFP
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.

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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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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Illustration: Craig Stephens
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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South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk-yeol attends his impeachment trial on February 11. Photo: AP
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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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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