Guide: Who is Kim Jong-un?
- Published
Not very much is known about North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, or what goes on in the country. For many years the country has been one of the world's most secretive places.
What we do know about Kim Jong-un often comes from the Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) which the government controls. The KCNA says Kim Jong-un is 32-years-old and is married to Ri Sol-Ju (on the left).
Kim Jong-un is the supreme leader of North Korea. He became leader when his father Kim Jong-il died in December 2011. Over the last 60 years North Korea has been exclusively ruled by the Kim family with no one else allowed to challenge them, or get the chance to be voted in.
Huge statues of Kim Jong-un's father Kim Jong-il and grandfather Kim Il-sung tower over the capital city of Pyongyang. Kim Il-sung is the president of North Korea. He died in 1994 but the role of president has been assigned to him forever or "eternally".
The government of North Korea controls a lot of things like hospitals, housing, the production of food and schools and education.
Kim Jong-un rules North Korea very strictly. He is often photographed inspecting factories, farms and hospitals. The photographs are carefully selected by the Korea Central News Agency, so nobody can really be sure when they were taken, and whether what they show is accurate.
Radio and TV sets in North Korea are pre-tuned to government channels that only broadcast flattering reports about Kim Jong-un.
Newspapers are displayed in public places so that people can read carefully selected stories about their leader.
The authorities attempt to block foreign TV signals, like this South Korean channel. North Koreans caught watching foreign TV channels risk harsh punishments.
Kim Jong-un is often seen surrounded by people making notes in little books. Some experts say this is to show the leader sharing his great wisdom with the people of North Korea.
Internet access in North Korea is very rare. Only websites approved by the government can be visited, and the authorities monitor internet use.
There was speculation in September 2014 that Kim Jong-un could be ill because he didn't appear in public for a month. In October the KCNA released new photographs of him walking with a stick, but nobody can be sure when they were taken.