Politics17 December 2011

Kim Jong Un Takes Power

After Kim Jong Il’s death his son Kim Jong Un inherited power, the third generation of the family to rule.

Kim Jong Il died on 17 December 2011 and his son Kim Jong Un became supreme leader. He became first secretary of the Party and first chairman of the National Defence Commission in 2012 and chairman of the State Affairs Commission in 2016. Following the second test in 2009, North Korea carried out four more nuclear tests from 2013 to 2017 under his rule.

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States and rulers at the time: North Korea — Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un

People

Kim Jong Un
leader · Son of Kim Jong Il and leader of North Korea since 2011; his birth year is unconfirmed
Kim Jong Il1941 – 2011
related figure · Son of Kim Il Sung and leader of North Korea (1994–2011). Named successor in 1980; ruled as chairman of the National Defence Commission under "military-first" politics. North Korea gives his birth year as 1942

Before and after

Earlier: 2007 October 4 Inter-Korean Summit Declaration
Later: 2018 Panmunjom Declaration of 27 April