Chronicle: Kim Jong-Un (North Korean Leader): HIS CHILDHOOD
Much like his birthdate that is shrouded in mystery, little is known of Kim Jong-un’s early life.
However according to recent comments by Nam Sung-woo, formerly of the National Intelligence Service of South Korea’s intelligence, Kim Jong-un was as a child, “reckless” and “rough”.
Another recent account of Kim Jong-un's childhood was given by Lee Young Guk, who formerly served as personal bodyguard to Kim Jong Il, the current leader’s father, before he took power in 1994.
In an interview conducted in October last year, Lee told ABC News: “He was stressed and had no one to play with his own age,” he said. “There were only adults, who educated and played with him.”
“His personality was explosive,” he added. “When he was angry, he acted without considering the consequences.”
Lee further added that Kim Jong-Un was quick-tempered, telling ABC News: “He doesn’t care about what others think.
He doesn’t feel sorry for other people. He does whatever he wants. He would yell at the ladies. He was like that.”
In such a grey light is presented Kim Jong-Un, as the world grapples to dig out whatever information it can about his childhood and temperament.
Still, that is only a half account of Kim Jong-Uns’s childhood, and it is certainly not an impartial one, as both accounts are given by a government, and an individual who can be considered as hostile to the DPRK regime.
Indeed, that South Korea’s Nam Sung-woo, concludes by saying Kim Jong-Un should be ‘eliminated’ makes his account of the Korean leader biased, and not credible enough to be taken as true in entirety.
It is the same with the Former Bodyguard who is said to have suffered under the hands of the North Korean regime, having previously been caught and detained for trying to flee, before successfully doing the same in 2002.
His witness, while it gives an insider view, cannot in entirety be taken as true.
The other half of the scarcely available knowledge of Kim jong-Un’s childhood, and in which is arguably found the closest true picture of Kim Jong Un’s childhood, is given by his former school mates.
These accounts are more believable as they have no reason to lie or manipulate whatever person of Kim Jong-un they knew many years back.
Notably, his old mates at the German-speaking Liebefeld-Steinhölzli public school say Kim was a "funny, popular boy."
Speaking to the Daily Beast, Bern chef Joao Micaelo, who attended Liebefeld-Steinhölzli with Kim for two years, observed; “He was a good friend,”
“We had a lot of fun together. He was a good guy. Lots of kids liked him. I don’t know anything about his life today. All I know is the guy I knew in school.
“He loved basketball. We played a lot together. I’d like to say to him, if you ever have the time, please contact me again so we can catch up.”
Now that is obviously a complete opposite to the life North Korea and the former Body-guard paint.
However it is more credible as unlike the previous witnesses, such mates certainly have no vested interests or motives for or against Ki Jong-Un.
At any rate, by so quickly wiling to 'catch up' again with Kim Jong-un, his former school mates certainly have and know a very different opinion of Kim Jong-un, and one that is admirable rather than the beast critics so paint it to be.
Marco Imhof, another childhood friend, remembered Kim as competitive but good-natured.
“He was funny,” Mr Imhof who is also based in Bern, told the Beast. “(He was) always good for a laugh. He also hated to lose. Winning was very important.”
Related Post
Next: HIS YEARS AT SCHOOL
A fair analysis. There are those who suggest that if the state of the DPRK acts with consistency, it is because it is directed by an insane individual, obsessed with carrying out a secret master heinous plan which if ever revealed, would make no sense to any sane person on earth.
Things Kim should do to get more recognition
Then we can talk!
Hahahaha @trumanity . That sounds like a 'Trump' Algorithm!
I often wonder if anybody, Kim Jong-un, in this case, who only took power in his late 20's in large part because of circumstances, would so quickly harbor a dark heart, a dark intention, and an only purpose of nuking the world as is so frequently said he wishes.
For me that is the beginning of my doubts as to any account that critics give of the North Korean Leader. I think the world is so curious to know everything about North Korea, any leader who so denies them - and the KIM dynasty certainly does this, and with its own, must be good reasons - is a bad leader harboring secret intentions to nuke the world.
North Korea's secrecy doesn't of course take away the possibility of critics being right, but neither dose it confirm that they are right.
What for me it does, is leave us in that place where we must be careful with what we believe from either side, without necessarily having to conclude an bedevil either.
That's right. I am here in the old PRK did you know what is today the Republic of Korea aka 'South Korea' was once called the People's Republic of Korea..?
I last year talked to an elderly man who referred in passing conversation to the way people here look at Kim as a strong leader. I just let it pass in conversation, not wanting to get too in depth. It is somewhat of a Korean type of leadership quality admired by many even today to be level-headed, self-reliant, especially as a nation. The history books tell one version, but there are countless contradictions and many who are old enough to remember the bloody war which destroyed their country and left them split this way. Also, such opinions are not tolerated here. Example, websites can't be accessed which point to the .nk
I lived in the far south of this part of the country, and there are sites in memory of people who were massacred. Now if you read the history we should ask.. how did the insurgents reach as far south as Jeju Island between japoan and Korea or Daegu? Perhaps they were grassroots seupporters, and this explains why 20% of their villages were raised to ashes. Insurgents, indeed.
A kiwi couple who taught with me, went there on a visit. A round-about method they employed. First they went from here to Japan for six months work. Then applied to visit there. Then on their worked again in Japan and returned here the following year. They had nothing but good stories to tell. The locals there were keen to befriend them. Officials would tease them, knowing they were afraid, but always in jest. Even at the immigration and customs, nothing but good humored people. The food was great too. They said they often felt they were in South Korea. Of course, they hid the fact of their travels so they could work here again. They are still here AFAIK
So, it might be good to look into the history with a balanced outlook as you know.
Very insightful, @trumanity. Really very insightful. I am much honored by your balance of insight and analysis. You are one in a million i have yet found to share such thoughts. And i am glad to make your acquaintance now. I am following you!
@originalworks
Very nice article you have there! But do not forget to cite your sources and credit your images when necessary
True. Thanks