I am the leader of Democratic People's Republic of Korea since 1994. Officially I'm the Chairman of the National Defense Commission of North Korea, Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army, and General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (the ruling party since 1948). I succeeded my father Kim Il-sung, the founder of Democratic People's Republic of Korea, who died in 1994.
I was born at Mount Paektu in northern Korea on February 16, 1942. My birth at Mount Paektu was foretold by a swallow, and it was heralded by the appearance of a double rainbow over the mountain and a new star in the heavens.
I received most of my education in the People's Republic of China but I graduated from Namsan School in Pyongyang. Later I attended Kim Il-sung University and I majored in Political Economy, graduating in 1964.
After this I began my ascension through the ranks of the ruling Korean Workers' Party, working first in the party's elite Organization Department before being named a member of the Politburo in 1968. In 1969 I was appointed deputy director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department.
In 1973, I was made Party secretary of organization and propaganda, and in 1974, I was officially designated my father's successor. During the next 15 years, I accumulated further positions, including Minister of Culture and head of party operations against South Korea.
I gradually made my presence felt within the Korean Workers Party from the Seventh Plenum of the Fifth Central Committee in September 1973, leading the "Three Revolution Team" campaigns. I was often referred to as the "Party Center", due to my growing influence over the daily operations of the Party.
By the time of the Sixth Party Congress in October 1980, my control of the Party operation was complete. I was given senior posts in the Politburo, the Military Commission and the party Secretariat. When I was made a member of the Seventh Supreme People's Assembly in February 1982, it had become clear to international observers that I was the heir apparent to succeed my father as the supreme leader of the DPRK. In 1991, I was also named supreme commander of the North Korean armed forces. Since the Army is the real foundation of power in North Korea, this was a vital step.
