This Kim Jong Un biography tells you who he is, where he comes from and what he is doing right now. You will read about his family, school days, wife, career and the newest update as of October 19, 2026. Why does one man from one small country keep showing up in world news?
Who Is Kim Jong Un and Why It Matters
Kim Jong Un is the top leader of North Korea. He heads the Workers’ Party of Korea and chairs the State Affairs Commission, which makes him the head of state. He took power in December 2011, right after his father, Kim Jong Il, died.
Think of North Korea as a big house that has had only three bosses since 1948. First came his grandfather, Kim Il Sung. Then came his father. Now it is Kim Jong Un. That is why many people say the Kim family runs the country like a family business that gets handed down.
This matters to everyone, not only people in Asia. North Korea has nuclear weapons, a large army and close ties with Russia and China. When Kim makes a choice, neighbors like South Korea and Japan feel it first, and the rest of the world soon follows.
Current Status as of October 19, 2026
Here is an honest update. Kim Jong Un is still in charge. In February 2026, the ruling party held its 9th Congress and he was chosen again as General Secretary. After the 2026 parliamentary election, he was also elected again as chairman of the State Affairs Commission.
The latest big news came on October 3, 2026. North Korean state media said Kim watched a drill in which an intermediate range missile hit a target about 1,000 kilometers away in the sea off the east coast. South Korea’s military said it detected the launch and that the missile flew more than 700 kilometers. State media photos showed his daughter, Ju Ae, and wife, Ri Sol Ju, with him.
The test came while tension with South Korea was high. Seoul blames North Korea for a landmine blast near the border and wants an apology. His sister, Kim Yo Jong, called that claim groundless. She now holds a bigger post, because the party made her a full department director earlier this year.
- February 2026: 9th Party Congress, Kim chosen again as General Secretary.
- October 3, 2026: Missile drill that Kim watched, reported by state media on October 4.
Kim Jong Un at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kim Jong Un |
| Date of birth | January 8 (the year is not officially settled; most outside sources say 1984) |
| Age | About 42 |
| Birthplace | Officially Pyongyang, not confirmed by outsiders |
| Main titles | General Secretary of the Workers’ Party; Chairman of the State Affairs Commission |
| Father | Kim Jong Il |
| Mother | Ko Yong Hui |
| Wife | Ri Sol Ju |
| Net worth | No verified figure |
| Height | Not officially published |
Kim Jong Un Biography: Full Profile
Early Life and Family Background
Kim grew up inside the most powerful family in North Korea. He is the second son of Kim Jong Il and Ko Yong Hui. His older brother is Kim Jong Chol and his younger sister is Kim Yo Jong. He also had a half brother, Kim Jong Nam, who was killed in 2017 at an airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Very little about his childhood is public. Think of it like a puzzle with many missing pieces.
Parents
His father, Kim Jong Il, led North Korea from 1994 until he died on December 17, 2011. His mother, Ko Yong Hui, is reported to have been a dancer. She died in 2004. His grandfather, Kim Il Sung, founded the country and is still honored there as its eternal leader.
Age and State of Origin
North Korea has never given a clear birth year. Outside sources have said 1982, 1983 or 1984, and many point to January 8, 1984. That would make him about 42 today. North Korea does not have states like Nigeria or the United States. It has provinces and a capital city, and the official line is that he was born in Pyongyang, the capital.
Education
Reports say he went to school near Bern, Switzerland, in the late 1990s under a different name. After that he returned home and studied at the Kim Il Sung Military University. State media also say he earned degrees at Kim Il Sung University, but outsiders have not been able to check those claims.
Career
His rise was fast. In 2010 he was made a four star general. When his father died in December 2011, he became supreme leader at a young age. In 2012 he became First Secretary of the party, in 2016 he became party chairman, and in 2021 he took the title General Secretary.
He has pushed the country’s nuclear and missile programs again and again. He also tried talking. He met South Korea’s Moon Jae-in in April 2018 and met United States President Donald Trump in Singapore on June 12, 2018. They met again in Hanoi in 2019. No lasting deal came out of those talks.
In recent years he has moved closer to Russia. The two countries signed a partnership treaty in 2024, and North Korean troops have been reported in Russia. He has also kept ties with China strong.
Wife and Children
His wife is Ri Sol Ju. State media confirmed the marriage in July 2012. She is reported to have been a singer before. The couple has a daughter, Ju Ae, who now appears with him at parades and missile events. Some experts wonder if she may lead one day, but nobody outside the inner circle knows. How many children he has is not officially stated.
Religion
North Korea is officially an atheist state. Its main idea is called Juche, which means self reliance. Kim has not spoken in public about any personal faith, so there is no confirmed religion to report.
Net Worth
There is no verified net worth for Kim Jong Un. In North Korea the state controls almost everything, so his money and the country’s money are tied together. Any number you see online is a guess.
Height
His height has never been officially shared. News outlets often estimate it at around 5 feet 7 inches, or about 170 centimeters, based on photos next to other leaders. Treat that as an estimate, not a fact.
Social Media and Official Sources
Kim Jong Un has no verified personal social media account. Beware of fake accounts. His activities are shared through the state news agency, KCNA, and then repeated by news groups. You can read more here:
FAQ
Who is Kim Jong Un?
Kim Jong Un is the supreme leader of North Korea. He leads the Workers’ Party and chairs the State Affairs Commission. He has ruled since December 2011.
How old is Kim Jong Un?
He is about 42. North Korea has not published an official birth year, but most outside sources say he was born on January 8, 1984.
Who is Kim Jong Un’s wife?
His wife is Ri Sol Ju. State media confirmed their marriage in July 2012. They have a daughter named Ju Ae.
What is Kim Jong Un’s net worth?
No one has a verified figure. The state controls the country’s money, and North Korea does not share financial records, so any number online is only a guess.
Where did Kim Jong Un go to school?
Reports say he studied near Bern, Switzerland, under a different name. He later studied at the Kim Il Sung Military University in North Korea.
Is Kim Jong Un still the leader of North Korea in 2026?
Yes. In February 2026 he was chosen again as General Secretary, and he was elected again as chairman of the State Affairs Commission. On October 3, 2026 he oversaw a missile drill, according to state media.
Final Word
Kim Jong Un took power at a young age and has held it for almost fifteen years. His story covers a hidden childhood, a family that rules by inheritance, talks with world leaders and a steady push for stronger weapons. As of October 19, 2026, he remains firmly in charge.
The biggest thing to remember is that much of his life is wrapped in secrecy. Some facts, like his parents and his job titles, are clear. Others, like his exact birth year, his height and his wealth, are still unknown.
