Early Succession and Leadership Role
Kim Jong Un was identified as the successor to his father, Kim Jong Il, in the late 2000s. After Kim Jong Il’s death in December 2011, Kim Jong Un quickly assumed top leadership positions, including First Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and Chairman of the National Defence Commission, which were the country’s most powerful roles at the time.
Formal Title of President
Kim Jong Un was not formally called “president” in the traditional sense. The title of President of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was permanently assigned to Kim Il Sung, the country’s founder. In 2016, Kim Jong Un was elected Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, a role described as the supreme leader of the country. He is often referred to as Chairman or Supreme Leader in official and international reporting.
Current Status and Official Roles
Today, Kim Jong Un holds the top positions in the Workers’ Party, the State Affairs Commission, and the armed forces. He controls policy, military decisions, and the country’s political direction. For more details on his official titles and roles, see the BBC profile of North Korea’s leadership.
