Profile of Kim Jung-un

Who is he? Not much is known about him; most is speculated.

• Youngest son of Kim Jung-il and late third wife Ko Yong-hui
• Born in 1983 or early 1984
• Nicknamed "Morning Star Kim" by his mother
• Father's favourite
  
• Swiss educated
• Can speak, English, German, and French
  
• Attended Kim Il-Sung Military University
• Avid skier and fan of NBA
• Splitting image of his father in face, body shape, and personality
• Shares some of his father's health concerns (diabetes and heart disease) due to lack of exercise
• Inexperienced and untested with no political legitimacy other than his birth
  

What is his current position?

• Vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Worker's Party
  
• Rank of four-star general
• Appointed to the National Defence Commission
  
• Ranks 6th in the North Korean hierarchy
• By order supported by the North Korean officials as the next leader
  
• Has recent poems and songs composed to promote his virtues as a leader
• Has 10 million portraits ready for distribution to hang alongside his father and grandfather

What will he inherit?

• Nuclear weapons
• No economy
• Widespread hunger and famine
• Disgruntled population
  
• Labour camps
• Country still at war

What an inheritance. I think I would take his oldest brother's lead and try to escape to Disney World; a much better fantasy land.

For more information: BBC, CBC, Chosun Ilbo, The NY Times