The Amazing Kims: Mythology and the Cult of Personality in North Korea

The Kim Dynasty begins in 1912 with Kim Il Sung, father to Kim Jong Il, grandfather to current leader Kim Jong Un.

Kim Il Sung: Born 1912. Died 1994. Also known as “Eternal President.”

Took power as president of North Korea in 1948 with support of Soviet Union.

The calendar of North Korea begins with Kim Il Sung’s birth year. It is called Juche 1.

“With the Century” is a multi-volume set of Kim Il Sung’s reminiscences. He claims to have begun his political activism at the age of six. The following is are links to his bio:

http://www.korea-dpr.info/lib/202.pdf

https://www.marxists.org/archive/kim-il-sung/autobio/index.htm


Mount Paetku, Birthplace site, Courtesy DPRK Tourism

Kim Jong Il. Estimated birth was in 1941 in Russia. Died 2011. Also known as “Dear Leader,” “Guiding Star of the 21st Century” and “Glorious General, Who Descended from Heaven.”

North Korean legend holds that was Kim Jong Il’s birth was of a divine and sacred nature that occurred on Mount Paektu (an active volcano also known as Mount Baekdu) on April 15, 1942. His birth was foretold by the appearance of a swallow. Once born, the seasons changed, a new star was born and a double rainbow appeared over the mountain. Throughout his life, he was able to control the weather with his mood.

He walked at three weeks old and spoke at eight weeks old.

He authored 1500 books and wrote six operas.

North Koreans believe his birthday is celebrated around the world.

Kim Jong Il was a declared a fashion icon setting trends worldwide.

He invented the hamburger, termed double bread with meat and known as ‘Gogigyeopbbang’.

Courtesy Rocket News 24, an airline meal featuring the North Korean hamburger.

Kim Jong-Il required that each grain of rice he was served be inspected for the perfect length, weight and color.

During times of famine, he encouraged North Koreans to eat sawdust for its nutritional properties. They also were skilled at filling their empty stomachs with tree bark and grasses. He is rumored to have spent almost one million dollars per year on Hennessey cognac.

Kim Jong Il was a golfing prodigy. The first time he ever played he made eleven holes-in-one and broke all world records by scoring 38 strokes under par.

He had evolved beyond having to use the toilet as his body worked so perfectly it did not produce human waste.

Kim Jing-Il kidnapped South Korean director Shin Sang-ok and actress Choi Eun-hee to make North Korea a world leader in the film industry.  The documentary The Lovers and the Despot tells this amazing story.

Kim Jong Il’s death was marked by a sheet of ice snapping loudly in the lake at the mount where he was born. Later that same day, the sky turned red and the words ‘Mt. Paektu, holy mountain of revolution, Kim Jong Il’ appeared to be carved onto the mountainside. The glowing words then disappeared at the day’s end.

Kim Jong Un. Born 1984. Also known as “Supreme Leader.

Kim Jong Un could drive at the age of three. He won a major yacht race at the age of nine.

He set the clock back 30 minutes in 2015 to compensate North Korea for time that had been stolen by the Japanese.

North Korea has cures for AIDS, EBOLA and more.

The Internet is only for government use.

Kim Jong-un has climbed to the summit of the sacred Mount Paektu.

Kim Jong-Un is a gifted composer and musician.

He loves basketball.

The parody twitter account DPRK New Service capitalizes on the mythology of the “Amazing Kims” with delightfully fun tweets such as the following: