BIOGRAPHY KIM JONG-UN

Birth.

No full official biography of Kim Jong-un has been published. Therefore, some of the
information has been conflicting and contradictory, since his brother Kim Jong-chul was attending
school during the same time. However, there has been some consensus on information about his
early life. North Korean authorities have stated his birth date as January 8, 1982, but overseas,
according to speculation by analysts and observers, his birth date is believed to be around 1983 or
early 1984. Kim's official birth year is believed to have been changed for symbolic reasons; 1982
marks 70 years after the birth of his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, and 40 years after the official birth of his
father Kim Jong-il. Prior to 2018, the U.S. Treasury Department listed Kim's official birth date as
January 8, 1984 (matching the one given by his aunt and aunt to the CIA). Now, the birth date is listed
as January 8, 1983, aligning with that of South Korea.

Family.

Kim Jong-un is the second of three sons. He is the grandson of Kim Il-sung, who was the
founder and led North Korea from its establishment in 1948 until his death in 1994. Kim is the first
North Korean leader to be born a North Korean citizen, his father was born in the Soviet Union and his
grandfather was born during the Japanese colonial period. His mother was Ko Young-hee, a Korean
dancer who died of cancer in 2004. All of Kim Jong-il's children are said to have lived in Switzerland,
as well as the mother of the two youngest children, who lived in Geneva for some time.

Kim Jong Chol, the eldest brother, was born in 1981, but despite being the natural heir to the
dynasty, he was rejected for the position in favor of the current leader by the patriarch Kim Jong-il
himself. It seems that he has no interest in politics and stays far away from the circles of power.

Kim Jong Nam, the younger brother. He held positions of responsibility in the government of
his father, who held him in high esteem. Later he had problems with his brother Kim when he was
already in power. He went into exile in Macao. There were rumors that the North Korean president
had bad relations with Nam and that his assassination in 2017 would therefore be part of a plan to
end his life. His death occurred when two women sprayed his face with a VX nerve agent at Kuala
Lumpur airport, sparking all sorts of speculation, including that he was a CIA agent.

Kim Yo Jong, is the "very sister" of North Korea's leader. In 2017 she was appointed head of
the propaganda department of the Workers' Party and experts on the "hermit kingdom" argue that she
is the president's right-hand man.

Ri Sol-ju, the wife of the president since 2009. South Korean media often speculate that she
loves expensive designer clothes. She is also believed to have three children. In the past, she may
have been a singer or a cheerleader for a national team.

Hyon Song Wol, the mistress? This singer of the all-female Moranbong Band may have been
Kim Jong-Un's romantic partner more than ten years ago.

And what about the children? The secrecy is even greater. The oldest, a boy, is believed to
have been born in 2010. The second, a girl, is from 2013. And the third is known by a carom. NBA
basketball player Dennis Rodman, a friend of Kim Jong-Un, said he met the first lady and held a baby
girl in his arms. He also revealed that Kim Jong-Un "is a good father and has a wonderful family."
Education.

According to reports first published in Japanese newspapers, he attended the private

English-language "International School" in Switzerland near Bern under the name "Chol-Pack" or
"Pack-chol" from 1993 to 1998. However, it was later suggested by comparing photos that the student
at the Gümligen school was not Kim Jong-un, but his older brother Kim Jong-chul; as photos were
compared at the Laboratory of Anatomical Anthropology of the University of Lyon which showed a
95% match.

Later Kim Jong-un studied at the private school "Liebefeld-Steinhölzli" in Köniz, near Bern,
under the name "Pak-un" or "Un-pak", as the son of a North Korean embassy official. It was from
1998 to 2000 that he suddenly dropped out of school.

Many analysts agree that Kim Jong-un attended Kim Il-sung University, a leading officer
training school in Pyongyang from 2002 to 2007; in order to learn his own country's ideals, such as
national self-reliance, human-centeredness and the idea of "Army first." Kim earned two degrees, one
in physics from Kim Il-sung University and another as an Army officer from Kim Il-sung Military
University.

Personality.

He was described as a shy boy who was awkward with girls, an ambitious student, who got
along well with his classmates, integrated, indifferent to political issues, but interested in Jackie
Chandel action movies and a sports standout, a basketball fanatic (he was fascinated by the National
Basketball Association and Michael Jordan). He was escorted by an older student who was thought to
be his bodyguard. However, it was noted that his grades and attendance ratings had been poor. North
Korea's ambassador to Switzerland, Ri Tcheul, had a close relationship with him and acted as his
mentor. After meeting him, Donald Trump said of his personality, "I learned that he was a talented
man. I also learned that he loves his country very much." He added that Kim had a "great personality"
and was "very intelligent."

Photographs of him.

For many years, only one confirmed photograph of him was known outside North Korea,
apparently in the mid-1990s. Other alleged images of him occasionally surfaced, but their authenticity
was often questioned. It was in June 2010 that more photographs of Kim, taken when he was
attending school in Switzerland, were made public. The first official image of him as an adult was a
group photo made public on September 30, 2010, at the end of the party conference that effectively
anointed him, in which he is seen sitting in the front row, two places from his father. This was followed
by new images of him attending the conference.

Public image.

In terms of public image, Forbes magazine ranked Kim as the 36th most powerful person in
the world in 2018, the highest among Koreans.

In a 2013 survey, 61.7% of North Korean defectors in South Korea said Kim Jong Un was
likely to be supported by a majority of his countrymen, up from the 55.7% approval rating for his father
in a similar survey conducted two years earlier.

In a survey of South Koreans conducted after the May 2018 inter-Korean summit, 78% of
respondents said they trusted Kim, up from 10% approval a couple of months earlier.
Wealth.

Despite the economic difficulties his country has gone through, the supreme leader has
always led a life of privilege and what is known is that since his childhood he was treated like a little
prince.

Kim Jong Un is ranked 49th on the Forbes 2015 list of the most powerful men in the world
and his fortune is estimated at five billion dollars, according to the web portal Celebrity Net Worth.

A fortune and position that allow him to enjoy eccentric luxuries, same that he denies to the
rest of his compatriots.

However, the North Korean leader is generous with those closest to him, as his wife Ri Sol Ju
has been in the media for her expensive tastes, including a handbag, similar to a Dior model, with
which she was seen in 2012 and which, then, was around 1,300 euros. On another occasion, she was
seen with a similar Prada model at the inauguration of a new Pyongyang airport terminal.

CNN reports that, in 2017, Kim had a list of recent purchases that included "a shiny white
yacht, expensive liquor and even the equipment needed to outfit a luxury ski resort." Adding to this
general idea, CNN stated that, in 2015, North Korea spent more on luxury goods "than on licit imports
from the rest of the world combined." In 2018, Kim took delivery of two armored Mercedes-Maybach
S600s, each valued at $500,000, through an illicit shipping network in violation of international
sanctions.

To put all this in context and emphasize the hypocrisy of the situation, in 2016, Kim warned
his citizens to prepare for possible famine and economic hardship.

Health.

In 2009, reports suggested that Kim Jong-Un was diabetic and suffered from hypertension.
He is also known to smoke cigarettes.

Kim Jong-un did not appear in public for six weeks in September and October 2014. State
media reported that he was suffering from an "uncomfortable physical condition." He had previously
been limping. When he reappeared, he was using a cane.

In September 2015, the South Korean government commented that Kim appeared to have
gained 30kg of body fat over the past five years, reaching an estimated total body weight of 130kg.

In April 2020, Kim was not seen in public for 20 days, sparking rumors that he was seriously ill
or dead. In June 2021, after a month-long absence from the public eye, outside observers noticed that
Kim had lost a considerable amount of weight. It is speculated that he had lost 10 to 20kg.

Awards and honors.

- Jubilee Medal "75 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945" (Russia, 2020) - awarded
for his efforts to preserve the memory of Soviet soldiers who died during the Soviet-Japanese War
(1945) and were buried in North Korea.

- He has been awarded a peace and justice prize in Indonesia.

Succession.

Kim Jong-il began preparing his succession after overcoming the severe stroke he suffered in 2008
and after becoming aware of his weakened health. His first-born son, Kim Jong-nam, 41 years old and
son of his first wife, had fallen into disgrace in 2001 when he was arrested at Tokyo airport, trying to
enter Japan with a false Dominican passport. The Dear Leader did not spare him the humiliation of
having to ask China to rescue him. Since then, Jong-nam has been living in the neighboring country.
The second son, Kim Jong-chul, 31, had been discarded as "too soft and effeminate". Hence, the
choice of the third, Jong-un, son of the Dear Leader's third wife, just like Jong-chul.

The dictator who had turned North Korea into a barracks, with 25% of its 24 million inhabitants
militarized - it has the third largest army in the world with 1.1 million soldiers and another 4.7 million
reservists who control even the air that citizens breathe - knew that the young Jong-un lacked
leadership, experience and knowledge to govern. Hence, throughout 2010, he raised a clique of
loyalists to take charge of the 'regency' and protect his son, who at a stroke was appointed member of
the Politburo and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the PT and endowed with the
rank of general, despite not even having done his military service. On September 27, 2010, Kim
Jong-un was given the rank of four-star general by his father as was his aunt Kim Kyong-hui along
with her husband Jang Song-thaek, to facilitate the succession as he was appointed vice chairman of
the all-powerful National Defense Commission, and would serve as regent in case Kim Jong-un is
unable to take power after the death of the "Dear Leader." The state media, meanwhile, greased their
propaganda machine in favor of Jong-un, to whom they wanted to give a greater maturity and
changed his date of birth from 1983 to 1982.

On March 8, 2009, the BBC picked up rumors that Kim Jong-un had appeared on the ballots for the
Supreme People's Assembly elections. Subsequent reports indicated that he did not appear as a
legislator in that assembly, but was promoted to an intermediate level in the Central Military
Committee of the WPK of that country which is an ideological instruction body of the Party of its army.
Since 2009 it was taken for granted among the diplomatic services that Kim would succeed his father
as head of the Workers' Party of Korea and thus head of state. He was named as "Brilliant Comrade"
and his father ordered the staff of North Korean Embassies to swear allegiance to him.

Kim Jong-il, who had visited the neighboring country four times in the last 18 months of his life, took
Kim Jong-un with him on one of them so that the Chinese leadership could get acquainted with the
'dauphin'. At the end of June 2009, it was reported that Kim had secretly visited China with the
intention of introducing himself to Chinese leaders who would later warn Korea of the dangers of
conducting a second nuclear test. The Chinese Foreign Ministry later strongly denied that such a visit
took place. Instead, such a visit did take place on June 10, when he traveled without his father on his
first official trip to Beijing, where he was received by the Chinese president and other senior
Communist Party dignitaries. This trip was of great importance as China, the country's great ally, was
a supporter of Kim Jong Nam.

Upon his return from China, he was put in charge of the State Security Department. In 2009, Kim
Jong Un participated in several military exercises. On September 27, 2010, Kim was declared of high
military rank, equivalent to a four-star generalship. And, the next day, he was appointed vice chairman
of the Central Military Commission.

On December 17, 2011, Kim Jong-Il passed away, and on December 29, 2011, at the end of the
funeral service for his father, Kim Yong Nam, Chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly, confirmed
Kim Jong-un as the supreme leader of the nation through a speech at Pionyang Grand Plaza.

On December 19, 2011, the media reported the death of Kim Jong II, which occurred two days
ago.Following his death, it was time for his successor to act as his successor. Thus, on December 24,
Kim Jong Un began to be called "supreme commander". On December 29, 2011, at the end of Kim
Jong-il's funeral, Kim Yong Nam, chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly, confirmed Kim
Jong-un as chairman of the nation's State Affairs Commission in a speech at Pionyang Grand Plaza.

Government.

Scenarios were envisioned that included a military coup or the collapse of the regime in the event of a
power struggle among the elites. Many foreign observers believed that liberal reforms would be
initiated and North Korea would open up to the outside world. A decade later, it has become clear that
this was only speculation.

Despite the many vicissitudes, Kim Jong Un managed to consolidate power and establish a strong
leadership, the new era dubbed Kim Jong-unism. Observers no longer speak of instability or regime
collapse. Kim Jong Un's international image has changed from that of an inexperienced but strong
leader to that of a skillful leader. He has also introduced changes in the political system, attempted to
reform the economy, and enhanced North Korea's international status by completing the "state
nuclear force."

The evolution of Kim Jong Un's governing strategy can be structured into three phases. During the
first phase, which lasted until 2017, the emphasis was on power consolidation and the byungjin line:
simultaneous nuclear and economic advancement. After achieving absolute authority and completing
the state nuclear force in 2017, it shifted its attention to economic development. The 2018-2019
period also served as the country's diplomatic opening, in an effort to stabilize the external
environment by improving relations with the US, South Korea and China. This phase witnessed
unprecedented diplomatic momentum, including historic summits held between Kim Jong Un and
Donald Trump. The narrative in favor of the ideology of self-reliance and state centralism pushed at
the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea in January 2021 seems to constitute the beginning of
a new phase of the current regime. The return to strict social and ideological control is indicative of
Kim Jong Un's effort to harden the regime and deter any potential domestic instability resulting from
economic uncertainty.

On July 18, 2012, Kim was given the title of army marshal-the latest in a series of moves to
reconfigure the top posts in North Korea's military (the announcement follows the dismissal of army
chief Rim Yong Ho).

Kim Jong-un in his 2012 speech promised to end the famine suffered in the 1990s. More international
investments were facilitated and more local products began to be seen in supermarkets. In contrast, a
threat to the new leader coexisted on the border with China where his uncle Jang Song-thaek lived.
This side hoped that the country would open up to China. To prevent this, Kim and his purge ordered
a special security force on the border. North Korea did not want any foreign influence. It was on March
29, 2013 when it declared a state of war on South Korea due to US B-2 Spirit bombers flying over the
Korean peninsula. This regime executed at least 140 senior commanders, including his uncle.

On March 9, 2014, the Supreme People's Assembly re-elected him as Chairman of the North Korean
National Defense Commission. There was a record turnout and everyone voted yes. This election was
to be Kim Jong-un's first. It was from September to October of this same year when the leader
disappeared, allegedly due to a cyst in his right ankle.

In July 2015, he was accused of having executed 70 officials since he came to power. And on
December 10, 2015, Kim claims that North Korea has added the hydrogen bomb to its nuclear
arsenal, although observers say such a breakthrough in nuclear technology seems unlikely.
On July 6, 2016, Kim was sanctioned by the Obama administration for violating human rights against
the North Korean people.

In September, threats with South Korea continued. On September 21, South Korea's defense minister
announced that he will have a troop of smooth elites to assassinate Kim in case South Korea feels
threatened by North Korea's nuclear weapons.

On January 1, 2017, Kim stated that his country is ready to test intercontinental ballistic missiles. It
was on September 22 this year that Kim stated directly arguing that Trump will "pay dearly". For,
previously, the latter threatened to destroy North Korea if the US was forced to defend itself or an ally.

On April 27, 2018, Kim and South Korean President Moon pledged to end the Korean War 65 years
later. They ended up meeting two more times this year: on May 26 and September 18-20.

On June 12, 2018, a spectacle played out between Donald Trump who ridiculed Kim Jong-un, who
ended up sharing the stage and came to the handshake in Singapore: "President Trump pledged to
provide security guarantees to the DPRK and not overthrow its anachronistic communist regime (the
most repressive in the world), and Chairman Kim Jong-un reaffirmed his commitment to complete the
denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. If Kim committed to its denuclearization. In February 2019,
a follow-up meeting in Hanoi ended without agreement after Kim insisted that all U.S. sanctions
against North Korea be lifted.

On April 25, 2019, Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin held their first summit in Vladivostok,
Russia. Statements by both are brief and insignificant.

On June 30, 2019, he met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and again with U.S. President
Donald Trump in the Korean demilitarized zone. Despite Trump becoming the first sitting president to
enter North Korea, their talks do not appear to have yielded any new commitments to
denuclearization.

On January 22, 2020, North Korea closed its borders with China because of Covid-19 and thus a
major crisis due to more than 80% of imports coming from China. So, even though there are more
nuclear weapons, its people are still starving.

On May 2, 2020, Kim made an appearance at a May Day celebration, where he was photographed
smoking and laughing, North Korean state media reported. This would be the leader's first public
appearance in about three weeks following worldwide speculation about his health.

In early 2021, the leader acknowledged at the 7th Workers' Party Congress to have failed in the
country's economic development suffering the biggest economic recession since 1997. At the
Defense Development Exhibition to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the Workers' Party of North
Korea, Kim continued to assert on October 12, 2021 about the importance of weapons (including the
world's largest ballistic missiles) to defend the country against a "hostile" US.