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This article was first published 12 years ago

Meet the world's youngest dictator

Last updated on: January 9, 2012 13:03 IST

Image: New leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un inspects an armoured vehicle in this undated still image taken from video
Photographs: Reuters

The birthday of Kim Jong-Un, the dictator of North Korea, was celebrated by airing a documentary on the country's "supreme leader" on state television.

He is the third Kim to rule the nation since 1948 after his father Kim Jong-il (who ruled from 1994 to 2011) and grandfather Kim Il-sung (who ruled from 1948 to 1994).

According to media reports, Kim Jong-Un is estimated to have turned 28 or 29 this year. He is the world's youngest dictator.

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Meet the world's youngest dictator

Image: New leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un holds a weapon in this undated still image taken from video
Photographs: Reuters

As the "supreme leader", Kim Jong-Un controls one of the world's biggest armies as well as the country's nuclear arsenal.

North Korea, which has frequent fracas with South Korea as well as the United States, has a 12-lakh strong army for a population of 2.4 crore people.

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Meet the world's youngest dictator

Image: New leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un speaks while surrounded by soldiers in this undated still image taken from video
Photographs: Reuters

In the documentary, Kim Jong-Un is shown inspecting an armoured vehicle, riding a horse and having a conversation with soldiers.

The documentary is being seen as an effort to idolise the young and untested leader, who has not had as much experience in administration and military as his father.

It is also an attempt to build up a "personality cult" around the new leader, a practice followed by his father and grandfather as well.

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Meet the world's youngest dictator

Image: New leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, rides a horse in this undated still image taken from video
Photographs: Reuters

Not much is known about Kim Jong-Un, who was appointed as the "great successor" after the death of his father Kim Jong-il in a suspected heart attack.

According to some media reports, Kim Jong-Un was a shy boy with a fascination for basketball. He received his primary education in a school in Switzerland.

Details about his adult years remain sketchy.

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Meet the world's youngest dictator

Image: New leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un speaks while surrounded by soldiers in this undated still image
Photographs: Reuters

Some observers believe that the young Kim has a more flexible approach towards foreign relations compared to his father, who had cut off diplomatic ties with most nations during his infamous tenure.

Kim Jong-Un faces the herculean task of pulling his country out of the morass of poverty and a massive food crisis.

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Photographs: Reuters

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