Kim Jong-Il - Initial involvement in DPRK politics

Kim Jong-Il is involved in DPRK politics from a young age.

In April, 1964 Kim Jung Il starts working at the Central Committee of the WPK. His initial tasks are to ensure that party members follow the general line set by Kim Il Sung and to make sure that the WPK's ideology is portrayed in the media, literature and arts in the DPRK.

By 1973 he has climbed up the ranks becoming secretary of the Party Central Committee (CPC) and is already referred to as the "Dear Leader".

He writes several economics papers and further develops the national line of thought; the Juche philosophy. In this period Kim Jung Il introduces changes to the way politics are practiced in the DPRK and makes office workers work with their subordinates most of the time.

On February 15th 1975 he is awarded the title Hero of DPRK. By the end of the decade he has been involved in direct talks with South Korea regarding the reunification of the peninsula.

 

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Please click here for more information on the life of the current leader of North Korea Kim Jong-Il or on our North Korea Information section for more general information on the DPRK.