Buzz
North Korea's diminutive autocrat is not just an expert in propaganda and social manipulation, but he is also believed to suffer from deep insecurity, delusions, and intense OCD. Below are 10 'facts' about Kim Jong Il, as reported by the media. The term 'facts' is in quotes because the first five listed are propaganda techniques Kim Jong Il employs to maintain his god-like persona among his people. The last five, however, are verified truths.
10. Supernatural Abilities
The 'Fact': His birth was said to be supernatural in nature
As per North Korean historical accounts, Kim Jong Il is said to have been born in a humble log cabin within a secret military base located on Korea's most revered mountain, Mt. Paekdu. At the exact moment of his birth, a brilliant star illuminated the sky, the seasons magically shifted from winter to spring, and rainbows graced the heavens. This dramatic tale stands in stark contrast to the much duller Western version, which asserts that Kim Jong Il was born in a guerrilla camp in Russia, while his father was evading Japanese forces.
9. The Fashion Trendsetter
The 'Fact': He is a global trendsetter in fashion
According to the Rodong Sinmun, North Korea’s state-run newspaper, Kim Jong Il’s iconic fashion has become a worldwide sensation. His signature zipped-up khaki tunics paired with matching trousers have become increasingly popular, a clear indication of his powerful image and influence. While the article did not mention Kim's four-inch platform shoes, his oversized sunglasses are certainly a favorite among Hollywood's leading ladies.
8. Adored Across the Globe
The 'Fact': The world admires him
According to state-run media, Kim Jong Il is hailed as the most influential statesman globally, with celebrations of his birthday taking place worldwide through films and festivals. However, in reality, many nations are baffled by his unpredictable foreign policies, particularly concerning North Korea's nuclear program.
7. Ratburgers
The 'Fact': He created the hamburger
With any Western influences strictly banned in his isolated communist state, Kim Jong Il took it upon himself to invent a unique, non-Western food. The North Korean newspaper Minju Joson reported that Kim Jong Il created a new sandwich known as 'double bread with meat,' aiming to provide 'quality' meals for university students. He even established a factory dedicated to mass-producing hamburgers for students and teachers, despite most of his citizens struggling with hunger on a daily basis.
6. Golfing Glory
The 'Fact': He is the greatest natural golfer in history
In 1994, Pyongyang media outlets reported that Kim Jong Il played a round of golf on a standard 18-hole course, finishing with an unbelievable 38 under par – including 5 holes in one! This score was 25 shots better than the best round ever recorded, and it was all the more astonishing since it was his very first time playing the sport. It’s claimed that Kim Jong Il regularly made 3 or 4 holes in one per round, and – much to the relief of the PGA – he has since retired from the game.
5. Addiction
The Fact: If he becomes addicted to a drug, everyone else must too
As recounted in a book by one of Kim Jong Il's former staff members, the leader once sustained an injury after falling off his horse when it slipped on loose rocks. Fearing addiction to the painkillers prescribed to him, he had members of his administrative staff receive daily injections of the same dosages he was taking, so he wouldn't be the only one addicted to the drug.
4. In the Movies
The 'Fact': He once kidnapped a famous director to create a Godzilla-inspired film for him
Shin Sang-ok, a South Korean filmmaker, was abducted by Kim Jong Il, imprisoned, and later forced to make a movie titled Pulgasari, which was essentially a communist propaganda version of Godzilla. After Shin and his wife managed to escape North Korea while scouting locations in Austria, Kim Jong Il abandoned Pulgasari and all of Shin's other works. Kim Jong Il later instructed his Ministry of Culture and communist filmmakers: 'Produce more cartoons.'
3. City of Dreams
The 'Fact': He oversees a city built solely for show
Kijong-Dong is a propaganda city constructed in the 1950s by Kim Jong Il's father, located right on the border. Its purpose was to showcase the North's superiority over the South and to encourage defections. The city has no real residents, but an elaborate effort has been made to simulate the appearance of a functioning city, including lights set on timers and street sweepers to create an illusion of activity. Modern telescopes have revealed that the buildings lack window glass, and many structures are just concrete exteriors without interior rooms. The city also boasts the world's tallest flagpole, flying a 300lb North Korean flag.
2. Great Booze
The 'Fact': At one point, he was the world's largest buyer of Hennessy
In the early 1990s, it was confirmed by Hennessy that Kim Jong Il was their top customer, spending between $600,000 and $850,000 annually on the brand. He favored the Paradis cognac, which can cost upwards of $700 per bottle. For comparison, the average North Korean earns around $1,000 per year.
1. Hitler Much?
The 'Fact': He had disabled and short individuals expelled from his capital
In preparation for the 1989 World Festival of Youth and Students, Kim Jong Il ordered that disabled residents be removed from Pyongyang. The government also distributed pamphlets promoting a wonder drug that supposedly had the ability to increase people's height. Those who responded to the pamphlets were relocated to uninhabited islands, alongside the disabled, in a bid to eliminate what were considered undesirable genes from the next generation.
