The Dark Legacy of Kim Jong-Un: A Deep Dive into His Leadership

At 34 years old, Kim Jong-Un is one of the youngest world leaders today. He is also one of the most infamous. What makes him so terrifying? Let’s examine some of his cruel actions.

In 2011, Kim Jong Un became known to the world. He is the third dynastic ruler of North Korea since 1950. His cruelty began shortly after he took power. He faced potential threats from top political and military officials. To secure his rule, Kim Jong Un launched a political purge. This purge is believed to have resulted in the deaths of dozens of senior officials.

In his quest for power, he took extreme measures. He had his own uncle executed. Years later, he feared his half-brother. This fear led him to send assassins to Kuala Lumpur in 2017. Political purges are typical of Kim's cruelty. His most significant crimes occur daily against his citizens. They live under harsh laws with severe penalties for breaking them. One infamous policy is the "Three Generations Rule." This rule was established by Kim Il-Sung in 1972. It states that any serious crime punishes not just the offender but three generations of their family as well.

According to Kim Il-Sung, the only way to completely eliminate the seed of evil is through a harsh rule. In North Korea, if your father commits a serious crime against the state, you and your children may also be sent to a prison camp for life. This is known as the Three Generations Rule. It is intended for severe offenses, but reports from North Korean defectors reveal a different story. Offenses can range from political dissent to something as trivial as failing to remove dust from a portrait of the Kim ruling family.

Conditions in the labor camps are deliberately cruel. Prisoners receive barely enough food to survive. They are forced to catch rats and insects to eat. Survivors report working long hours. They endure 12-hour days, seven days a week. This constant labor stunts and deforms many individuals. Beatings, torture, and rape occur regularly in these camps. There is no possibility of parole for the prisoners.

North Korea's constitution claims to guarantee freedom of the press. However, the State prohibits any foreign or non-state media from operating. Consequently, it is illegal to have an independent press. Kim's government enforces this law strictly. In North Korea, all foreign media is banned.

It is illegal to watch foreign TV shows or movies. Listening to foreign radio or music is also prohibited. Reading foreign books is not allowed either. The country has a State-run version of the internet that is supposedly open to all citizens. However, citizens must first obtain government permission to own a computer. Only State-approved content is accessible online.

Occasionally, outside websites are made available. However, they are heavily censored after being downloaded and hosted locally. Violating North Korea's media rules leads to strict punishment, including execution or imprisonment in forced labor camps. The North Korean constitution claims to guarantee freedom of religion. However, Kim Jong Un's government is hostile to any religious practices, which are banned by law. Instead, the state promotes Juche. This ideology is a blend of Marxism and Korean nationalism, created by Kim Il-Sung. Juche teaches that individuals are the masters of their destiny. In this ideology, the North Korean people are expected to take charge of their revolution and build their own socialist state.

The Juche ideology emphasizes strong nationalism and self-reliance. It does not mention any divine creator or spiritual entities. In North Korea, all other religions are banned. The Kim family believes these religions are corrupting influences. Those caught practicing any religion face imprisonment. This punishment often includes the harsh Three Generations Rule. Kim Jong Un continues the practices of his father and grandfather. He tightly controls the movement of citizens. Leaving the country without official permission is illegal. Such permissions are rarely granted. Thousands of defectors and refugees try to flee to China or South Korea. They navigate dangerous borders, knowing their families may be punished for their actions.

Even those who manage to escape are not truly safe. North Korea has a history of abducting people and forcing them to return. North Koreans in Japan, South Korea, China, and even Europe have been targeted by abduction squads. These squads use threats of violence to force individuals back to North Korea. In some cases, they are drugged and smuggled home. Once they return, the consequences are dire. They may face execution or imprisonment. Many end up in labor camps, joining their families if they left any behind. Pregnant women face even more horrors. Kim Jong-un believes in racial purity and Korean superiority, which affects how they are treated.

If a woman becomes pregnant while abroad, her child is killed. If she returns home pregnant, she is forced to have an abortion. One report from a North Korean escapee described a woman in a hospital who gave birth. The baby was smothered to death right after. Kim Jong Un's government claims to promote self-reliance. However, it fails to meet the needs of its people. In response, a black market has emerged. This is often the only place to find food and medicine. Despite this, Kim continues the ban on free markets established by his father and grandfather. Private enterprise is completely illegal in the country.

In North Korea, dealing in smuggled goods or attempting to start a personal business can lead to imprisonment. Corruption among police and military is widespread. Many officials ignore these activities if offered a substantial bribe. However, theft is punished severely, even for seemingly minor offenses. In 2016, Otto Warmbier, a 21-year-old American college student, stole a propaganda poster from his hotel. He was caught and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. The government claimed he tried to undermine the motivation and work ethic of the Korean people.

Warmbier was released to the US after 17 months. By then, he had suffered severe brain trauma. This trauma was likely due to torture and starvation. He died just days after his return. In North Korea, freedoms are highly restricted. This includes what you can watch, read, or where you can work. There is no due process in the country. Kim Jong Un rules with absolute brutality. He fears dissent and goes to extreme lengths to prevent it.

It's easy to feel frustrated by the rules in our country. However, we should be thankful for our safety at home. We don’t have to worry about harsh punishments for minor actions. Imagine facing prison time with your whole family just for not dusting a portrait of the country's leader. That’s a reality in some places.

What are your thoughts on Kim Jong Un's actions? Do you see any unfair laws in your country? Share your opinions in the comments.