Kim Jong-il (son)

Kim Jong-il was a North Korean leader, born in 1941, who ruled the country from 1994 until his death in 2011. He was the son of North Korea’s founding leader, Kim Il-sung. Known for maintaining strict control over the state, Kim Jong-il developed North Korea’s nuclear program and emphasized military strength. His leadership was marked by economic struggles, limited international relations, and a tightly managed society. He was succeeded by his son, Kim Jong-un. Kim Jong-il’s governance significantly shaped North Korea’s policies, promoting juche (self-reliance) and a personality cult around his family.