I am a specialist in political history and international relations. Before diving into the details about the leadership of North Korea, it's important to understand the context and the unique political structure of the country. North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), operates under a highly centralized and authoritarian regime. The country is governed by the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), which is the founding and ruling political party.

The Kim dynasty has been at the helm of North Korea since its establishment. The founder of North Korea and its first leader was Kim Il-sung. Born on April 15, 1912, Kim Il-sung played a pivotal role in the country's formation and was a key figure in the Korean War. He was a charismatic leader who established a cult of personality around himself, a tradition that continues with his descendants.

Kim Il-sung ruled North Korea for nearly five decades, from its establishment in 1948 until his death on July 8, 1994. His leadership was characterized by a strong emphasis on self-reliance, known as the "Juche" philosophy, which was a guiding principle for the country's political and economic policies. This philosophy, which can be loosely translated as "self-reliance," was a blend of Marxism-Leninism and Korean nationalism, emphasizing independence and self-sufficiency.

Upon Kim Il-sung's death, his son Kim Jong-il succeeded him. However, it is noteworthy that Kim Jong-il did not immediately take over as the head of state. Instead, he assumed the role of the leader of the Workers' Party of Korea and other key military and political positions. The title of "President" was not passed on to Kim Jong-il; instead, it was posthumously given to Kim Il-sung, who has been referred to as the "Eternal President of the Republic" since 1998. This unique arrangement has meant that the "President" title in North Korea is largely symbolic and is held in perpetuity by Kim Il-sung.

The President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, a position that has been held by various individuals over the years, serves as the de jure head of state. This role is largely ceremonial, with the real power residing in the hands of the leader of the Workers' Party and the military, which in the case of Kim Jong-il, was his position.

Kim Jong-il's leadership was marked by a continuation of the policies initiated by his father, with a focus on strengthening the military and maintaining a strict control over the country's political and economic affairs. He also pursued a policy of international isolation, which has been a hallmark of North Korea's foreign policy.

In summary, the leadership of North Korea has been a dynastic affair, with Kim Il-sung being the founder and first leader, followed by his son Kim Jong-il. The title of "President" has been symbolically held by Kim Il-sung as the "Eternal President," while the real power has been wielded by the leaders of the Workers' Party and the military.

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Kim Il-sung died on 8 July 1994, but has since 1998 been posthumously named the "Eternal President of the Republic". Thus his son and successor as leader, the late Kim Jong-il, was not given the title of President and the President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly became de jure head of state.read more >>