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The Education of Kim Jong–un

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The Education of Kim Jong–un

Brookings Institution,

5 min read
5 take-aways
Audio & text

What's inside?

Get to know the man behind North Korea’s fiery rhetoric.

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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Analytical
  • Eye Opening
  • Background

Recommendation

As one of the world’s most isolated nations, North Korea remains a conundrum to Western observers, in many ways – as does its leader, Kim Jong-un. But given the country’s growing arms capabilities, misreading North Korea’s actions or misunderstanding Kim himself could lead to dire consequences. In a paper written for the Brookings Institution, North Korea expert and former CIA analyst Jung H. Pak explains why any engagement or de-escalation strategy for the Korean Peninsula must rest on a solid comprehension of Kim Jong-un’s background and evolving aspirations. getAbstract recommends Pak's insights to anyone who

Summary

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un came to power in his mid-20s, following the death of his father, Kim Jong-il, in December 2011. Raised in luxury and educated for several years in Switzerland, Kim was groomed to rule from childhood. His public image is at once that of a childlike figure prone to erratic behavior (in the foreign press) and that of a godlike entity with exceptional physical prowess and intelligence (within North Korea).

Kim’s signature policy, byungjin, has two key facets. First, Kim wants to modernize the country. He has built amusement...

About the Author

Jung H. Pak is a senior fellow and the SK-Korea Foundation Chair in Korea Studies at the Brookings Institution’s Center for East Asia Policy Studies.


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