Kim Jong-II’s Wealth

Kim Jong-II has an estimated fortune of
$4 Billion

The Life and Career of Kim Jong-II

Yuri Irsenovich Kim, born on 16 February 1941, in Vyatskoye, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union, was a politician known primarily for serving as the supreme leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, also known as North Korea, from 1994 to 2011. His various endeavors contributed to the amassing of his considerable wealth.

As of early-2017, sources estimate his net worth at $4 billion, primarily earned through his leadership role in North Korea. He was established as the heir apparent in the 1980s and succeeded his father, Kim Il-Sung. Additionally, his involvement in numerous organizations solidified his financial position.

Kim Jong-II’s Estimated Net Worth: $4 billion

While Soviet records indicate that Kim was born in 1941, his official biography claims that he was born on 16 February 1942, in the Paektu Mountain during the Japanese occupation of Korea. He became politically active at a young age, participating in the Korean Children’s Union and the Democratic Youth League of North Korea (DYL). He later pursued an English education at the University of Malta.

In 1980, he attained senior positions in the Politburo Standing Committee, Military Commission, and the party Secretariat, subsequently becoming the heir apparent. He garnered recognition and emerged as the most influential figure after his father. In 1991, Kim became the Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army. However, North Korea encountered economic stagnation, severed ties with China and the Soviet Union, and was accused by South Korea of orchestrating the 1983 bombing in Rangoon which claimed the lives of 17 South Korean officials. Consequently, he ascended to the role of Chairman of the National Defence Commission.

Following Kim Il-sung’s passing in 1994, Kim Jong-Il assumed leadership, inheriting his father’s former position as General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Amid economic challenges in the 1990s, Kim introduced a “Military-First” policy, which propelled the country despite its reliance on foreign aid for food. He also initiated the “Sunshine Policy” in 1998 to enable South Korean companies to undertake projects in the north. A 2004 report by Human Rights Watch labeled the North Korean government as one of the world’s most oppressive, with an estimated 200,000 political prisoners. Additionally, rumors surfaced in 2008 alleging that Kim Jong-Il had died of diabetes in 2003 and had been replaced by a stand-in. Voiceprint analysis of Kim speaking did not match an earlier recording, and he was reported to abstain from public appearances due to deteriorating health, finalizing with North Korea confirming that he had suffered strokes. His influence waned, and in 2009 reports indicated that his youngest son, Kim Jong-un, would succeed him as the leader of North Korea.

Between 2010 and 2011, Kim made several foreign visits, and reports indicated an improvement in his health. However, in December 2011, it was reported that he had passed away from a suspected heart attack while traveling on a train.

Regarding his personal life, official information about Kim Jong-il is scarce, but it is believed that he married twice and had three mistresses, resulting in five known children. He married his first wife Hong Il-chon in 1968, but they divorced a year later. His subsequent official wife was Kim Young-sook. His reported mistresses were actresses Song Hye-rim, Ko Yong-hui, and Kim Ok.



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