Kim Jong Il – 1942 – 2011
Juegang Kim Jong Il, the mysterious and reclusive Great Leader of North Korea, was reported to have died on 17 December, 2011 by state media.
Although seen by the rest of the world as a repressive and cruel leader, he was apparently highly regarded within the borders of North Korea, almost to the point of deifying him.
His birth in 1942 was reportedly foretold by a swallow announcing the coming of a general who will rule the world, and heralded by the appearance of a double rainbow over Baekdu Mountain, as well as the birth of a new star.
A great leader he may have been to the people of North Korea, but to the rest of the world (other than heads of state), he was little more than comic relief in an otherwise insane world.
To be honest, I know next to nothing of him, and what I know, I gleaned from Team America: World Police.
Here’s Kim Jong Il in Team America singing “I’m so ronery”
Another source of information I get about this legendary character, is from this tumblr collection of Kim Jong Il looking at things.
Credit: http://kimjongillookingatthings.tumblr.com/
As we all know, the internet moves at ten times the speed of light, so in light of his death, a similar site has already been set up for his heir apparent, Kim Jong Un, to erm, look at things on behalf of his father.
Kim Jong Il had also allegedly kidnapped a Korean film maker and his wife in 1978, placed him under house arrest and forced him to direct films in order to build up the North Korean film industry, and to produce propaganda films.
A very strange man indeed. May here’s hoping there will be no negative repercussions on relations between North and South Korea, and the world at large, when his son Kim Jong Un officially steps up to the throne.