Kim Jong Un is the son of North Korea's Kim Jong-Il. On Tuesday, June 2, 2009, South Korean newspapers announced the 26-year-old was next in line to lead the communist state. Kim Jong Un is the youngest of Il's three sons.
Kim Jong Un reportedly made a secret trip to China in June 2009. It was reported that Chinese officials, including Chinese president Hu Jintao, asked for North Korea to end nuclear tests in Korea during the trip. A Chinese official denied that the meeting had taken place.The Independent: North Korea's next leader makes secret trip to China(June 17, 2009)
Successor to Kim Jong II?
According to the Washington Post, "Commander Kim" is described as "competitive, proficient in English and a heavy drinker." Although there has not been an 'official' announcement, South Korean newspapers said that North Korean government officials were notified that Un would be Il's successor.WashingtonPost.com: N. Korea's Kim taps 26-year-old son as successor (June 2, 2009)
References
Fast Facts
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Born
Early-1984
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Age: 26 years old in 2009
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Height: 5' 9"
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May suffer from diabetes
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Youngest son of Kim Jong Il
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Brothers: Kim Jong Nam and Kim Jong Chol
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Mother was former dancer Ko Yong Hi
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Ko Yong Hi was reportedly Kim Jong Il's favorite wife
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Educated at the International School in Bern, Switzerland
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Went to Military University
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Swiss magazine reported that Kim Jong Un used the alias Pak Chol
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Reportedly a heavy drinker
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Speaks English proficiently
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Said to be hailed as "Commander Kim"
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Believed to be the next in line to rule North Korea
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Kim Jong-Il reportedly had a stroke in August 2008
