There are reports coming out of South Korea that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il has named his third and youngest son, Kim Jong-Un as his successor. Read about it and a biography below and see the only known photograph available in the West of Kim Jong-Un, an age progression photograph

Kim Jong Un

Kim Jong Un is believed to be the youngest son of North Korean Kim Jong Il. There are reports that he has been tapped to be Kim Jong-Il’s successor. The 26-year-old son of the communist dictator will be the third generation of the Kim dynasty to rule North Korea. Typical of the Pyongyang secrecy, there has been no confirmation of his choice as his father’s successor.

At first blush it seems an odd time to name an heir to the throne of North Korea. What with the recent saber rattling and threats coming out of the communist state. But when one considers that Kim Jong-Il was given a similar entry into the public eye, it makes more sense. That and the suspicion that Kim Jong-Il suffered a stroke in August 2008 and the 100th anniversary of his father’s, Kim Il Sung, birth is coming up in 2012, it all starts to fall into place. Kim has said that he will name a successor on his father’s 100th birthday, April 15, 2012. Like his father, Kim Jong-Il seems to be preparing a military build-up that his son will be given credit for, and therefore public support for, in order to usher in his rule. Should it be necessary, Jong-Un will rule under the guidance of his uncle, Jang Seong Taek, until he is capable of ruling on his own.

There is no illusion here that Kim Jong-Il or any of his children are actually in control of North Korea. It is most likely that the military commanders are making these decisions, as they have apparently been made throughout Kim’s rule. That would give us an indication as to why Kim’s third son has been chosen. The oldest son, Kim Jong Nam, 38, was a favorite to be the successor until he was caught sneaking into Japan to go to Disney World in 2001. The second son, Kim Jong-chol, is considered too effeminate. He has ‘a woman’s heart’. That leaves Jong-Un, a lover of heavy drink, as the successor. This seems like a perfect situation to keep the military in control of the most repressive regime on the planet.

There is very little information available about Kim Jong-Un or anyone else in his family. He was born on January 8, 1983. He is 26-years-old. He studied at the Kim Il-Sung Military University for five years. He was educated in Switzerland, as were his brothers. He was not allowed to associate with school mates after school and was picked up everyday immediately after classes. Most classmates and school officials thought he was the son of the driver who picked him up. He used the name Pak Chol while in school.

Jong-Un learned French, English and German. He was thought to be competitive, introverted, friendly and timid. He loved basketball, was a fan of Michael Jordan and Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Jong-Un is the son of Jong-Il’s third wife, Ko Yong Hi. She was a former dancer who was considered Jong-Il’s favorite wife. She reportedly died of cancer in 2004, however, other reports are that she died under ’suspicious circumstances’. She is reported to have doted on her son, calling him her ‘Morning Star King’.

Jong-Un’s grandfather founded the Worker’s Party that rules North Korea today. It is an orthodox communist party that has oppressed the people of North Korea for generations. Kim Il-Sung was known to the North Koreans as ‘Great Leader’. His son, Jong-Il has been known as ‘Dear Leader’. Reports are that Jong-Un is being hyped as ‘Commander Kim’. The propaganda campaign is also reported started in that school children are being taught songs praising him as the next leader and the regime is pledging allegiance to him.

The photograph above is the only known photograph of him available in the West. He was approximately 11-years-old at the time that photo was taken. I have provided a possible age progression photo of him below (just for fun).

Kim Jong Un Age Progression Photo?

Kim Jong Un is Kim Jong Il Successor – Photos