Kim Jong Il[b] (born Yuri Kim; [c] 16 February 1941 or 1942 – 17 December 2011) was a North Korean politician and dictator who was the second supreme leader of North Korea from the …

Kim Jong Il (1941–2011) was the ruler of North Korea from 1994 to 2011. He succeeded his father, Kim Il-Sung, who was North Korea’s leader from 1948 until his death in 1994.

Apr 2, 2014 · Following the death of Kim Il Sung in July 1994, Kim Jong Il took total control of the country. This transition of power from father to son had never been seen before in a communist...

Sep 2, 2025 · Read CNN’s Fast Facts on the late Kim Jong Il and learn more about the former Leader of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Jan 23, 2025 · Discover the life of Kim Jong Il, his rise to power, family, and legacy in North Korea.

Kim Jong Il was one of the most influential and controversial heads of state of the modern era. As the supreme leader of North Korea,

Jan 8, 2026 · Kim Jong-Il: North Korea's Dear Leader by Michael Breen "Kim Jong-il has been the subject of intense interest and fear in recent months. He has been demonised as 'Dr Evil' for …

Kim Jong-il or Kim Jong Il (/ˌkɪm dʒɒŋˈɪl/; Korean: 김정일; Korean pronunciation: [kim.dzɔŋ.il]; February 16, 1941 or 1942 – December 17, 2011) was a North Korean politician who served …

4 days ago · Kim Jong-il began to be promoted internally in the 1970s and gained influence throughout the 1980s. After Kim Il-sung’s death in 1994, North Korea entered a prolonged …

Kim Il Sung’s first wife, Kim Jong Suk, a Korean guerrilla fighter and Christian from Manchuria who joined him in the Soviet Union, bore him three children, including Kim Jong Il.