Kim Jong-un's Rise to Power in North Korea
How did Kim Jong-un come to power in North Korea?
a) He was elected by the North Korean people
b) He inherited the position from his father, Kim Jong-il
c) He won a military coup against the previous leader
d) He was appointed by the United Nations
Final answer: Kim Jong-un came to power in North Korea by inheriting the position from his father, Kim Jong-il. Hence, option b is correct.
Answer:
Kim Jong-un came to power in North Korea by inheriting the position from his father, Kim Jong-il. He did not go through a democratic election process or a military coup. Instead, the succession was a familial one, as Kim Jong-il passed on the leadership role to his son.
Kim Jong-un's rise to power in North Korea was due to the dynastic leadership style of the country. When Kim Jong-il passed away in 2011, Kim Jong-un took over as the leader. This succession continued the Kim family's control over North Korea, with Kim Il-Sung, Kim Jong-un's grandfather, being the founder of the country and the one who initiated the hereditary leadership system.
Kim Jong-un now holds all effective political power in North Korea and continues the regime established by his grandfather and father. The lack of democratic processes or open elections means that the leadership transition in North Korea is based on family lineage rather than popular vote.
This system of governance has led to criticism and scrutiny from the international community, especially regarding human rights abuses and repression in North Korea. Understanding how Kim Jong-un came to power highlights the unique political dynamics of the country and the challenges it faces in the modern world.