The Dark Side of Fame: 10 Shocking Facts About Kim Jong-un You Didn’t Know

infamous leader.

Fame isn’t always glamorous. While many dream of global recognition, some achieve notoriety instead. North Korea’s Kim Jong-un is one such figure known not just for power, but for a cult of personality that fascinates and terrifies the world. Here are 10 things you probably didn’t know about him.

10. What’s in a Name?

Kim Jong-un’s identity has evolved over the years. Due to his father’s global notoriety, he reportedly changed his name while attending Liber Feldstein Hosley School in Switzerland. Records noted him as the son of a North Korean embassy employee. At 17, he left Switzerland and returned to North Korea, marking the start of his rise to power.

9. Loves Painful Stinging Punishments

North Korea’s strict laws make many everyday freedoms illegal, including pornography. Reports claim that an ex-girlfriend of Kim Jong-un appeared in an adult video, which led to her execution ordered by Kim himself, and her family was forced to witness it. This grim example highlights the ruthlessness of his regime, especially for the political elite and military officers, whose loyalty is literally a matter of life or death.

8. Purge of Officials

Kim Jong-un inherited a tradition of eliminating perceived threats from his father, Kim Jong-il. Since becoming Supreme Commander, he has purged numerous high-ranking officials regardless of their loyalty. Even family wasn’t safe; in 2013, his uncle Jong-suk, a top adviser, was executed for alleged treason.

7. It’s All in the Title

Kim Jong-un isn’t just “the leader.” His elaborate titles include:

• Chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea
• Chairman of the Central Military Commission
• Chairman of the National Defense Commission
• Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army

In 2013, Forbes ranked him 46th among the world’s most powerful people, a reflection of both his influence and fear factor.

6. Family Feuds Turn Deadly

Even relatives aren’t immune to Kim Jong-un’s wrath. His older half-brother, Kim Jong-nam, was exiled for traveling to Tokyo with a fake passport and visiting Disneyland. Years later, in 2017, he was assassinated by North Korean agents at a Malaysian airport, a real-life spy thriller ending.

5. Expensive Tastes

Luxury doesn’t come cheap, even under a dictatorship. Kim Jong-un is known for importing Western liquor, including Johnny Walker, while smoking Yves Saint Laurent cigarettes. Ironically, ordinary North Korean citizens face death for owning alcohol. Both father and son share this taste for the finer things.

4. Pledge of Allegiance

During the last days of Kim Jong-il, power was gradually shifted to Kim Jong-un. This period involved elaborate propaganda, including swearing in embassy staff worldwide to pledge unquestioning loyalty to him.

3. Ready for His Close-up

Unlike his father, who avoided the camera, Kim Jong-un embraces televised speeches. While North Korea remains the “Hermit Kingdom,” he has made himself more visible to both the public and the international stage, a strategic move to build his personal brand.

2. Best Friends Forever

Kim Jong-un’s love of sports is well-documented. A basketball fan in his youth, he idolized Michael Jordan and formed an extraordinary friendship with retired NBA player Dennis Rodman, who received VIP treatment on visits to North Korea.

1. Was It a Good Year?

Even basic facts about Kim Jong-un, like his birth year, are disputed. U.S. records say January 4, 1984, but other sources suggest a year earlier. While minor, these details contribute to his mythical status and reinforce the cult of personality surrounding him.

Final Thoughts:

From ruthless purges and deadly family feuds to lavish tastes and global notoriety, Kim Jong-un’s life is a mix of myth, fear, and spectacle. While the world watches, his personality cult only grows, and his story continues to shock and intrigue.

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