Kim Jong Un
North Korea · 2011 — present
Est. victims: 100k+ in camps, famine
Kim Jong Un is the third-generation leader of the Kim dynasty. He was educated in Switzerland under a false identity (1998–2000), then returned to North Korea and was groomed as successor. After his father Kim Jong Il died in 2011, he purged senior officials, including his uncle Jang Song-thaek (executed 2013) and half-brother Kim Jong Nam (assassinated with VX nerve agent in Malaysia, 2017). He has consolidated total control over the military and party.
Rise of dictatorship
Russia-North Korea alliance, arms for Ukraine war
Kim met Putin in Russia; North Korea supplies artillery shells and missiles for Russia's war in Ukraine in exchange for food and technology. Violates UN sanctions.
2020–2025: Isolation and military build-up
Summits with Trump, no denuclearisation
Kim Jong Nam assassinated with VX in Malaysia
Kim Jong Un's half-brother was killed at Kuala Lumpur airport by women who smeared VX nerve agent on his face. South Korean and US intelligence attributed the hit to Pyongyang.
2013–2020: Nuclear brinkmanship
Executes uncle Jang Song-thaek
Jang Song-thaek, Kim's uncle and a key power broker, was purged and executed for 'anti-state activities'. Dozens of his associates were also eliminated.
Succeeds father Kim Jong Il, declared Supreme Leader
Kim Jong Un was named successor in 2010. After his father's death in December 2011, he became First Secretary of the Workers' Party, First Chairman of the National Defence Commission, and Supreme Commander of the KPA.