ABSTRACT
Kim Jong Il is one of the most extraordinary leaders in Korean history. He is a more powerful, suppressive leader than any king in pre-modern Korean history. Before his father’s death, Kim Jong Il spent twenty years preparing to assume leadership of North Korea. After his father’s death, he has successfully maintained a relatively stable regime throughout internal and external difficulties. There is no clear indication that Kim Jong Il has faced any significant organized resistance. Given that Kim Jong Il still swears to be faithful to his deceased father, Kim Il Sung succeeded in implementing his plan for political succession.
