Kim Il Sung Russian name. Kim Il-sung. Beginning of political activity
Kim Il Sung is the founder of the North Korean state, Eternal President of the DPRK, Generalissimo. During his life and after his death, he holds the title “Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung.” Now North Korea is ruled by the grandson of the country's first president, although Kim Il Sung remains the actual leader (in 1994 it was decided to leave the post to the leader of Korea forever).
A cult of personality, similar to the cult in the USSR, was restored around Kim Il Sung and subsequent leaders of Korea. The cult of personality has made Kim Il Sung a semi-deity in North Korea, and the country itself one of the most closed in the world.
Childhood and youth
The biography of Kim Il Sung consists of many legends and myths. It is difficult to identify what events actually took place at the beginning of the life of the future Great Leader of the Korean people. It is known that Kim Song-ju was born on April 15, 1912 in the village of Namni, Kopyong Township, Taedong County (now Mangyongdae) near Pyongyang. Kim Sung-ju's father is the village teacher Kim Hyun-jik. Kang Bang Seok's mother, according to some sources, is the daughter of a Protestant priest. The family lived poorly. Some sources claim that Kim Hyun Jik and Kang Bang Seok were part of the resistance movement in Japanese-occupied Korea.
In 1920, Kim Song-ju's family moved to China. The boy went to Chinese school. In 1926, his father, Kim Hyun Jik, died. When he entered high school, Kim Sung-ju joined an underground Marxist circle. After the organization was discovered in 1929, he went to jail. I spent six months in prison. After leaving prison, Kim Sung-ju became a member of the anti-Japanese resistance in China. At the age of 20 in 1932, he led an anti-Japanese partisan detachment. Then he took the pseudonym Kim Il Sung (Rising Sun).
Politics and military career
His military career quickly took off. In 1934, Kim Il Sung commanded a platoon of the guerrilla army. In 1936, he became the commander of a partisan formation called the “Kim Il Sung Division.” On June 4, 1937, he led the attack on the Korean city of Pochonbo. During the attack, a gendarme post and some Japanese administrative points were destroyed. The successful attack characterized Kim Il Sung as a successful military leader.
In the period 1940-1945, the future North Korean leader commanded the 2nd direction of the 1st United People's Army. In 1940, Japanese troops managed to suppress the activities of most partisan detachments in Manchuria. Comintern (organization uniting communist parties different countries) suggested that Korean and Chinese partisan detachments move to the USSR. Kim Il Sung's partisans were based near Ussuriysk. In the spring of 1941, Kim Il Sung and a small detachment crossed the Chinese border and carried out a number of anti-Japanese operations.
In the summer of 1942, Kim Il Sung was accepted into the ranks of the Red Army (Workers' and Peasants' Red Army) under the name "Comrade Jing Zhi-cheng" and was appointed commander of the 1st Rifle Battalion of the 88th Separate Rifle Brigade. The brigade consisted of Korean and Chinese fighters. The 1st Battalion consisted mainly of Korean partisans. Kim Il Sung, together with the commander of the 88th Brigade, Zhou Baozhong, met with the commander of Soviet troops in the Far East, Joseph Opanasenko.
As a result of the meeting, a decision was made to create the United International Forces. The association was strictly classified, Kim Il Sung’s base near Ussuriysk was transferred to Khabarovsk, to the village of Vyatskoye. Many future party comrades of Kim Il Sung lived in the military dormitory of the village. The 88th Brigade was preparing for sabotage guerrilla activities in Japan. After the surrender of Japan, the brigade was disbanded. Kim Il Sung, along with other Korean commanders, was sent to assist Soviet commandants in Korean and Chinese cities. The future Korean leader was appointed assistant commandant of Pyongyang.
On October 14, 1945, Kim Il Sung delivered a congratulatory speech in honor of the Red Army at a rally at the Pyongyang stadium. Captain of the Red Army Kim Il Sung was introduced by the commander of the 25th Army, Colonel General Ivan Mikhailovich Chistyakov as a “national hero.” The people learned the name of the new hero. Kim Il Sung's rapid path to power began. In December 1946, Kim Il Sung became chairman of the organizing bureau of the Communist Party. North Korea. A year later he headed the Provisional People's Committee. In 1948, Kim Il Sung was elected Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the DPRK.
By decision of the Potsdam Conference in 1945, Korea was divided into two parts along the 38th parallel. The northern part came under the influence of the USSR, and the southern part was occupied by American troops. In 1948, Syngman Rhee became president of South Korea. North and South Korea made claims that their political system was the only correct one. War was brewing on the Korean Peninsula. The final decision to start hostilities, according to historians, was made during Kim Il Sung's visit to Moscow in 1950.
The war between North and South Korea began on June 25, 1950, with a surprise attack by Pyongyang. Kim Il Sung took over as commander in chief. The war lasted with alternating success between the warring parties until July 27, 1953, when a ceasefire agreement was signed. Pyongyang remained under the influence of the USSR, and Seoul - the USA. A peace treaty between North and South Korea has not been signed to this day. The Korean Peninsula War was the first military conflict of the Cold War. According to her model, everything was subsequently built local conflicts with the behind-the-scenes presence of the world's superpowers.
After 1953, the DPRK economy, supported by Moscow and Beijing, began a rapid rise. Since the beginning of the Sino-Soviet conflict, Kim Il Sung had to show diplomatic qualities, learning to maneuver between China and the USSR. The leader tried to maintain a policy of neutrality with the conflicting parties, leaving economic assistance to the DPRK at the same level. The Tzan system predominates in industry, implying the absence of self-financing and material dependence.
The country's economic planning is carried out from the center. Private farming is outlawed and destroyed. The country's work is subordinated to the needs of the military-industrial complex. The strength of the Korean People's Army has reached 1 million people. By the early 70s, the DPRK economy entered a period of stagnation, and the standard of living of citizens deteriorated. To maintain stability in the country, the authorities focused on strengthening the ideological indoctrination of the population and total control.
In 1972, the post of prime minister was eliminated. The post of President of the DPRK was established for Kim Il Sung. The personality cult of Kim Il Sung began to develop in 1946, when photographs of the leader were hung next to portraits of Joseph Stalin in places where rallies and meetings were held.
The first monument to the North Korean leader was erected during his lifetime, in 1949. The worship of “Great Leader Comrade Kim Il Sung” reached a wide scale in the 60s and continues to this day. During his lifetime, the leader of the DPRK received the titles “Iron All-Conquering Commander”, “Marshal of the Mighty Republic”, “Pledge of the Liberation of Mankind”, etc. Korean social scientists have created a new science, “the study of revolutionary leaders,” which studies the role of the leader in world history.
Personal life
In 1935, in Manchuria, the future Great Leader met the daughter of a poor peasant from North Korea, Kim Jong Suk. Since April 25, 1937, Kim Jong Suk served in the Korean People's Army under the leadership of Kim Il Sung. The wedding of Korean communists took place in 1940. A son was born in the village of Vyatskoye near Khabarovsk. According to some reports, the boy’s name was Yuri at the beginning of his life.
Kim Jong Suk died in childbirth on September 22, 1949 at the age of 31. Kim Il Sung forever preserved the memory of Kim Jong Suk. In 1972, the woman was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Korea.
The second wife of the Korean leader in 1952 was Secretary Kim Song E. Children of Kim Il Sung: sons Kim Jong Il, Kim Pyong Il, Kim Man Il and Kim Yong Il, daughters Kim Kyong Hee and Kim Kayong-Jin.
Death
On July 8, 1994, Kim Il Sung died of a heart attack at the age of 82. Since the mid-80s, the leader of North Korea suffered from a tumor. Photos from that period clearly show bone formations on the leader’s neck. Mourning for the leader lasted three years in North Korea. After the end of mourning, power passed to Kim Il Sung’s eldest son, Kim Jong Il.
After the death of Kim Il Sung, the leader's body was placed in a transparent sarcophagus and is located in the Kumsusan Sun Memorial Palace. The mausoleum of Kim Il Sung and the second President of Korea Kim Jong Il forms a single complex with the Revolutionary Memorial Cemetery. The body of Kim Il Sung's mother and his first wife rests in the cemetery. The memorial is visited by thousands of citizens of Korea and other countries. In the halls of Kumsusan, visitors see the leader's belongings, his car and the luxurious carriage in which Kim Il Sung traveled.
Memory
Kim Il Sung is commemorated in North Korea with the names of streets, a university and central square in Pyongyang. Every year Koreans celebrate Sun Day. dedicated to the day birth of Kim Il Sung. The Order of Kim Il Sung is the main award in the country. In 1978, banknotes with the image of Kim Il Sung were released. Production continued until 2002.
On the occasion of the leader’s seventieth birthday, the second tallest structure was opened in Pyongyang - a monumental granite stele 170 meters high. The monument is called the “Monument to the Juche Ideas.” Juche is the North Korean national communist idea (Marxism adapted for the Korean population).
Every place in North Korea that Kim Il Sung has ever visited is marked with a plaque and declared a national treasure. The leader's works are republished many times and studied in schools and higher education institutions. educational institutions. Quotes from the works of Kim Il Sung are memorized by work collectives at meetings.
Awards
- Hero of the DPRK (three times)
- Hero of Labor of the DPRK
- Order of the Red Banner (DPRK)
- Order of the Golden Star (DPRK)
- Order of Karl Marx
- The order of Lenin
- Order "Victory of Socialism"
- Order of Klement Gottwald
- Order State flag I degree
- Order of Freedom and Independence, 1st class
KIM IL SENG
(b. 1912 – d. 1994)
Dictator, permanent leader of the DPRK, creator of the Juche doctrine.
The long-lived dictator who led North Korea for half a century, “The Great Leader, the Sun of the Nation, the Marshal of the Mighty Republic” is Kim Il Sung. Biographical information about him is quite contradictory, and many years of his life have practically not been preserved.
The future leader was born in the village of Mangyongdae near Pyongyang on April 15, 1912. His father, a representative of the lower Korean intelligentsia, was a believing Protestant, a Christian activist associated with religious organizations. At times he taught at primary schools. Mother was the daughter of a village teacher. In addition to Kim Il Sung, who was called Kim Song Ju in childhood, the family had two more sons. They lived poorly and were in need. Need forced parents in the early 20s. move from Japanese-occupied Korea to Manchuria, where little Kim Il Sung was educated in a Chinese school and mastered the Chinese language perfectly. My father controlled my studies quite strictly. The boy returned home for several years, but already in 1925 he left his native place. The following year my father died.
While studying in China, in Girin, Kim Il Sung joined an underground Marxist circle created by Chinese Komsomol members. In 1929, the circle was discovered by the authorities, and its members went to prison. Six months later, the 17-year-old, released from prison and never finishing school, joined a guerrilla unit - one of many created by the CCP to fight the Japanese invaders. Already in 1932, Kim Il Sung joined the Chinese Communist Party. He fought well and quickly advanced in his career: in 1934 he was a platoon commander in the Second Partisan Army, which fought against the Japanese near the Korean-Chinese border, and after 2 years he commanded the 6th Division. The name of Kim Il Sung became famous after the successful raid on Pochonbo, when the gendarme post and some Japanese institutions were destroyed. Then rumors about “commander Kim Il Sung” spread throughout Korea, and the authorities promised a reward for any information about his whereabouts. At the end of the 30s. he was already the commander of the 2nd operational area, and all partisan units in Jiangdao province were subordinate to him. However, at this time the situation of the Manchu partisans deteriorated sharply: in battles with the Japanese they suffered heavy losses. Of the top leaders of the 2nd Army, only Kim Il Sung survived, whom the Japanese hunted with particular fury. In such a situation, in December 1940, he, together with 13 fighters, broke through to the north and, crossing the Amur ice, ended up on the territory of the USSR. Having passed the required test, within a few months the 28-year-old partisan commander became a student of courses at the Khabarovsk Infantry School.
Kim Il Sung's personal life was generally successful. True, the first wife, Kim Hyo Sunn, who fought in his detachment, was captured by the Japanese, which they reported as a great triumph. Her further fate is unknown. At the end of the 30s. Kim Il Sung married Kim Choch Sun, the daughter of a North Korean farm laborer, who fought in a guerrilla unit from the age of 16. In 1941, they had a son on Soviet territory, who was named by the Russian name Yura (today he is the leader of the DPRK, known to the whole world as Kim Jong Il). Then they had two more children.
In 1942, in the village of Vyatsk near Khabarovsk, the 88th was formed from Korean partisans who crossed over to Soviet territory. rifle brigade, in which the young captain of the Red Army, Kim Il Sung, was appointed battalion commander. It was a brigade special purpose. Some of its fighters participated in reconnaissance and sabotage operations in Manchuria. True, Kim Il Sung himself did not participate in any operations during the war. But he really liked the life of a career officer, and he did not see his future outside the army: the academy, command of a regiment, division. Many even then began to note the young officer’s lust for power. The 88th Brigade did not take part in the fleeting war with Japan. After the war, it was disbanded, and its soldiers and officers were sent to the liberated cities of Manchuria and Korea as assistants to Soviet military commandants and to ensure communication between the military authorities and the local population. Kim Il Sung was appointed assistant commandant of Pyongyang, the future capital of North Korea. He arrived in Korea in October 1945 on the steamship Pugachev. His arrival could not have come at a better time, since the attempt of the Soviet command to rely on nationalist groups failed, and the local communist movement was not so strong, but was too eager for independence. Therefore, a young officer of the Soviet Army with a heroic partisan biography turned out to be the best figure for the role of “leader of the progressive forces of Korea.” On October 14, the commander of the 25th Army, I.M. Chistyakov, introduced Kim Il Sung at a rally as a “national hero” and a “famous partisan leader.” This is where his ascent to the heights of power began.
In December 1945, Kim Il Sung was appointed chairman of the North Korean Organizing Bureau of the Communist Party of Korea, and in February of the following year, by decision of the Soviet military authorities, he headed the Provisional People's Committee of North Korea, the country's provisional government. This was a formal position, since even after the proclamation of the DPRK in 1948, the Soviet military authorities and the apparatus of advisers, who drew up the most important documents and made decisions, had a decisive influence on the life of the country. Even the appointment of officers to a position higher than the regiment commander until the mid-50s. it was necessary to coordinate with the Soviet embassy.
The first years of Kim Il Sung's stay in his homeland were overshadowed by two tragedies: in 1947, his son drowned, and in 1949, his wife died during childbirth. During this period, an acute confrontation emerged in the country, divided by the decision of the Potsdam Conference into zones of occupation - the Soviet North and the American South. Both regimes claimed to be the only legitimate unifier of the country. Things were heading towards war, but it was not Kim Il Sung who was the most determined supporter of solving the Korean problem by military means. The decision to start a war was made in the spring of 1950 in Moscow during the visit of Kim Il Sung and his conversations with Stalin.
During the war of 1950–1951. The leadership of the DPRK settled in bunkers carved into the rocky ground at a depth of several tens of meters. The brunt of the fighting fell on Chinese troops sent to Korea at the request of Kim Il Sung and with the blessing of the Soviet government. The Koreans operated in secondary directions and provided rear security. During the war, Soviet influence weakened and Kim Il Sung increased his independence, who began to get a taste for power. He showed himself to be a master of political intrigue, showing the ability to maneuver and take advantage of the contradictions of both opponents and allies. The only thing he sorely lacked was education, and he did not have time to educate himself.
The beginning was marked by Kim Il Sung's struggle for absolute power in the country. All his efforts were aimed at destroying the North Korean elite - four groups that were at war with each other. Their destruction gave Kim Il Sung the opportunity to get rid of Soviet and Chinese control. However, the reprisal against them led to the arrival of delegations led by A.I. from the USSR and China. Mikoyan and Peng Dehuai, who threatened to remove Kim Il Sung himself from leading the country. He was forced to make concessions, but the role of a puppet imposed on him forced him from the mid-50s. persistently and carefully distance themselves from their patrons. The DPRK was then very dependent on economic and military assistance from the USSR and China, therefore, by skillfully maneuvering, Kim Il Sung managed to ensure that this assistance did not stop. At first, he was more inclined to the PRC, which was facilitated by cultural proximity, joint struggle and criticism of Stalin that unfolded in the USSR. This caused discontent among the Soviet leadership and a reduction in aid, which brought a number of sectors of the economy to the brink of collapse. In connection with the conflict between the USSR and the PRC and the “cultural revolution” that began in China, Kim Il Sung began to distance himself from China, taking a neutral position in the conflict. This, of course, caused discontent in both Moscow and Beijing, but never led to a reduction in aid.
By the end of the 50s. Kim Il Sung, having destroyed (physically or expelled from the country) the opposing, mainly pro-Soviet groups, gained full power. Only old comrades in the partisan struggle, whom he trusted, were appointed to senior positions. It was then that they abandoned the copying of Soviet models and established their own methods of organizing production, their own cultural and moral values based on the ideas of “Juche”, and propaganda of the superiority of everything Korean over foreign ones. Rigid planning and militarization of the economy began, “labor armies” were created, where workers were divided into military units (platoons, companies, etc.) and subordinate to commanders. Personal plots and market trade were prohibited. The basis of the economy was declared to be “reliance on own strength”, and the ideal is a completely self-sustaining, tightly controlled production unit. But all this led to a sharp decline in economic growth and to an even greater decline in the living standards of the population than before. Kim Il Sung turned out to be strong in the struggle for power, but not in governing the country. Since the 70s stability in the state was ensured only by strict control over the population combined with massive ideological indoctrination. The country's population was divided into groups of several families living in the same block or house. They were bound by mutual responsibility. The head of the group had considerable power. Without his consent, it was impossible even to visit. And there was no free movement around the country without the consent of the security service. Camps for political prisoners appeared. Public executions - shootings in stadiums - became a practice. Since 1972, with the celebration of Kim Il Sung's 60th birthday, a campaign began to praise him as the most illustrious leader modern world: “Great Leader, Sun of the Nation, Iron All-Conquering Commander, Marshal of the Mighty Republic, Pledge of the Liberation of Humanity.” All adult Koreans were required to wear badges with a portrait of Kim Il Sung. In general, his portraits hung everywhere. On the slopes of the mountains in his honor, toasts were carved in multi-meter letters. Throughout the country, monuments were erected only to Kim Il Sung and his relatives. The Great Leader's birthday became a public holiday; biography has been studied since kindergarten; works were learned by heart; the places he visited were marked with memorial plaques; children in kindergartens were obliged to thank the leader in chorus before lunch for a happy childhood; songs were composed in his honor; the heroes of the films performed feats inspired by their love for him. Universities began to teach a special philosophical discipline, suryeongwan—leadership.
A pompous palace was built for Kim Il Sung on the outskirts of Pyongyang, and many luxurious residences were built throughout the country. However, the leader preferred, accompanied by numerous reliable guards, to travel a lot (he did not like airplanes) around the country, visiting villages, enterprises, and institutions. In 1965, he married Kim Sun-ae, a young secretary of one of his security chiefs. They had two sons and a daughter.
In the early 70s. Kim Il Sung had the idea to make his son his heir. Weak protests among senior officials ended with the disappearance of the dissatisfied. In 1980, Kim Jong Il was officially proclaimed his father's heir, the "Great Continuator of the Worldwide Juche Revolutionary Cause." After the death of Kim Il Sung in 1994, he concentrated all power in the country in his hands, pursuing a policy of tyranny and political “isolation of the DPRK based on the teachings of the Chukchee.”
This text is an introductory fragment. The cult of personality of Kim Il Sung manifested itself in full after the massive “purges” among the opposition at the end of the Korean War in 1953. The process of establishing a regime of personal power was completed by 1958. By instilling a cult of personality, Kim Il Sung pursued two goals: to strengthen the regime of personal power and facilitate the future succession of power to Kim Jong Il. The cult of personality was introduced into the consciousness of Koreans through the creation of symbols, rewriting the biography of the “leader” and indoctrination.Two factors played a decisive role in the formation of Kim Il Sung’s cult of personality. First, it is stated that he is a leader who came from the people who came to fulfill a great mission in Korean history. To this end, North Korean historians have portrayed Kim as a successor to the valiant deeds of his ancestors, and he has emerged as a hero of the anti-Japanese resistance. Thus, historians studying modern history Korea, focus on the origins of Kim Il Sung, and historians of the anti-Japanese movement describe the heroic deeds of Kim Il Sung in the field of revolutionary struggle. The North Korean version of history serves as a justification for the one-man rule of Kim Il Sung. Secondly, the outstanding abilities of Kim Il Sung are extolled in every possible way. It is believed that he is not only a hero of the resistance, but also a great thinker who surpassed Marx and Lenin, as well as a brilliant theorist who had his say in various fields of human activity: political, economic, social, cultural and in the field of art. Thus, to justify Kim Il Sung's regime of absolute power, they cite his heroic biography and exceptional talent.
When addressing Kim Il Sung, the titles most often used were “Leader-Father”, “Great Leader”, “God-Like”. His name was printed in a special font in all printed publications so that it stood out against the background of the rest of the text. Kim Il Sung authored all of North Korea's founding documents, including the Constitution, Labor Law, Land Law, and education regulations. Any printed publications - newspapers, magazines, school textbooks and scientific publications - began with the instructions of Kim Il Sung. All North Koreans in school were taught that they owe it to a “caring Leader” for being fed, clothed and able to work. His portraits were in every home, throughout the country there were countless “places of worship” of the Leader, including 35 thousand of his statues.The deification of Kim Il Sung continued after his death. His body was installed “in perpetuity” in the Presidential Palace in Pyongyang, his power was immortalized in the title “Eternal President”, his influence was preserved through the regime of “rule by testament”. Thus, the perpetuated influence of Kim Il Sung serves as a justification for the current regime of the sole power of Kim Jong Il. Probably, someday they will stop talking about the “immortality” of Kim Il Sung, but for now it is clearly premature to think so.
Kim Il Sung (Kor. 김일성, according to Kontsevich - Kim Ilson, born Kim Song Ju, April 15, 1912, Mangyongdae - July 8, 1994, Pyongyang) the founder of the North Korean state and its first ruler from 1948 to 1994 (head of state since 1972). Developed the Korean version of Marxism - Juche.
There is little accurate information about Kim Il Sung, and all because of the secrecy surrounding his biography. His name is not what he was given at birth. Kim Il Sung was born in 1912 in one of the suburbs of Pyongyang. The family moved to Manchuria in 1925 to escape the Japanese occupiers. In Manchuria, Kim Il Sung became a member of the Communist Party in 1931. The military authorities from the Soviet Union drew attention to him. The Second World War was going on, and Kim Il Sung lived in the USSR. He claimed to have fought in the Red Army. Most likely, he was involved in politics rather than fighting. He adopted the pseudonym Kim Il Sung, in honor of the famous Korean patriot who died fighting the Japanese.
The Second World War is over. US troops occupied the South of Korea, and the USSR occupied the North. They announced that they would create a single state. Meanwhile, Kim Il Sung and other communists from Korea returned from the USSR to their homeland to lead the country. Many Koreans have heard a lot about Kim Il Sung. They waited for his return, but saw a young “new Kim”, not a war veteran. It is not known for sure whether this misunderstanding was resolved. In 1948, the Korean occupation of the USSR ended. Kim Il Sung concentrated power over North Korea in his hands. He became the prime minister of the DPRK. The USA and USSR were never able to unite Korea peacefully. Kim Il Sung took advantage of Soviet support and opportunity and therefore invaded South Korea to annex it by force to the Northern part. Resistance was weak, even after additional UN forces arrived. However, Kim Il Sung's army was unable to cope with Douglas MacArthur's army, which landed at Inchon. Kim Il Sung's troops were defeated and retreated. The war lasted for another two years in the area of the 38th parallel.
In 1953, the long-awaited peace was signed. For just over forty years now, the troops of the South and the North have been taking positions opposite each other along the demarcation line, which runs along the 38th parallel. After the truce, Kim Il Sung was still able to strengthen his power. In 1956, the last opposition forces within the country were suppressed. In 1972, he became president, while he retained full military and civilian power. Time passed, and the DPRK moved away from both China and the USSR. Kim Il Sung planted a cult of his personality in the country. His country lagged behind its southern neighbors in development. Quite often, Kim Il Sung had difficulties supplying the country with food. In the 1980s, Kim Il Sung's son became his father's successor. In 1994, Kim Il Sung died, and power was concentrated in the hands of Kim Jong Il. Kim Il Sung was far from a great leader and commander; he depended on China and Soviet Union. However, we must remember that North Korea is hostile towards South Korea, Japan, and the United States, and the regime established in the country by Kim Il Sung still exists.
Kim Il Sung (Korean 김일성, April 15, 1912, Mangyongdae - July 8, 1994, Pyongyang) - participant in the international communist and labor movement, founder and ruler of the DPRK from 1948 to , generalissimo. The founder of the Korean version of Marxism is.
early years
Exist different versions about how Kim Il Sung's life began. By official version he was born in the village of Namni (now Mangyongdae) near Pyongyang in the family of a rural teacher, Kim Hyun Jik. According to another version, Kim Il Sung was born Chhinjong, into a family of hereditary Protestant priests. Had two siblings. Kim's family, if not living poorly, was one step away from poverty. Kim Il Sung received a Protestant upbringing because many of his ancestors were Protestant priests. In , Kim Il Sung and his family fled to Manchuria due to the Japanese invasion of Korea, which Kim's parents took part in fighting. In , Kim Il Sung's father died.
Beginning of political activity
In October of the same year, Kim took part in the activities of the Union for the Overthrow of Imperialism. From 1927 to visited high school in Jilin. It was then that he became interested in communist ideology. He joined an underground communist youth organization operating in southern Manchuria. Stopped attending school after he was arrested for political activities. Spent several months behind bars. C began to participate in numerous anti-Japanese uprisings. , stood at the head of an armed detachment of participants in the anti-Japanese partisan movement.
Military activities
S was a member of the United Northeast Anti-Japanese Army. IN . was appointed commander of the sixth division, known as the Kim Il Sung Division. Made raids into enemy territories. Once he won a major victory, for which he was appointed to a higher post. One day, Kim Il Sung's detachment fell into disgrace with the Japanese troops and he had to flee across the Amur, to the USSR, to Khabarovsk. Where he trained in the Red Army camp. He was in the Soviet Union until the end of World War II. The Red Army entered Pyongyang meeting almost no resistance. Kim Il Sung personally met with Lavrenty Pavlovich Beria. He was then appointed leader of the country on the advice of Beria and orders of Stalin.
Creation of the KPA
Kim arrived in Korea after twenty-six years of exile. In September, he paid a visit to the USSR in the person of the head of the provisional government. One of the undeniable achievements of Kim Il Sung is the creation of the Korean People's Army (). Consisting mainly of Korean communists and anti-Japanese resistance guerrillas. Who have already gained combat experience in battles not only with the Japanese occupiers, but also with Kuomintang troops. After the creation of the KPA, Kim Il Sung taught the soldiers special tactics of guerrilla warfare. The army was supplied with heavy Soviet tanks, trucks, and small arms. The KPA Air Force was created in Korea, but equipped with some Soviet parts. The Soviet Mig-15 jet aircraft was put into service.
Beginning of reign (1948 – 1953)
In May, the Korean Peninsula was divided into North and South Korea. was officially proclaimed. Kim Il Sung was appointed prime minister. The USSR recognized the new government of socialist Korea. Communist Party Korea merged with the New People's Party, thus forming. And Kim Il Sung was appointed chairman. In , the ruling coalition “United Democratic Fatherland Front” was formed.
Further reign
After the devastating war, Kim Il Sung made a lot of efforts to restore the country. A national economic plan was adopted to transition the country to a planned economy. Industry was nationalized and collectivization was carried out Agriculture. Kim Il Sung pursued a policy to eliminate class differences, the economy was built to benefit the needs of workers and peasants, and the production of weapons. After the 20th Congress of the CPSU, he condemned the “exposure of Stalin’s personality cult.” After this, Kim Il Sung began to build relations with Eastern European socialist countries and leaders such as (SRR), (NSRA),
Death and funeral
He died of a sudden heart attack, despite the efforts of doctors to save him. Death was announced thirty hours later. The funeral committee was headed by Kim Jong Il. The body was embalmed and placed in the mausoleum on July 17. Where he rests in a glass coffin, covered with the flag of the Korean Labor Party.
Personal life
First wife: Kim Jong Suk. From her, Kim Il Sung had two children: Kim Jong Il and Kim Pyong Il. Kim Jong Suk died in 1947. In 1951, Kim Il Sung married for the second time with his second wife and had three children.
Perpetuation of memory
There are currently more than 500 statues of Kim Il Sung in the DPRK. The most famous are located: near the stadium, university and square in Pyongyang named in his honor. Kim Il Sung is depicted in places associated with public transport(railway stations, airports). Kim is also depicted on North Korean banknotes.
International Friendship Exhibition
On August 26, 1978, the International Friendship Exhibition Museum was built in the DPRK. The total area of which is 70 square kilometers. Includes 150 rooms. It contains gifts that were given to Kim Il Sung by heads of other states at different times - 220 thousand in total. Among them:
Honorary Doctorate from Quaid-i-Azam University in Pakistan
Proceedings
- Kim Il Sung. Essays. B 46 vol., Pyongyang: Literature Publishing House foreign languages, 1980-2007
- Kim Il Sung. About Juche in our revolution. B 3 vols., Pyongyang: Foreign Language Literature Publishing House, 1980-1982
Literature about Kim Il Sung
- A Brief History of the Revolutionary Activities of Comrade Kim Il Sung, Pyongyang: Foreign Language Literature Publishing House, 1969
- Lankov, A.. Informal history of North Korea. M.: East-West, 2004
- Comrade Kim Il Sung is a brilliant thinker and theorist. Pyongyang: Foreign Language Literature Publishing House, 1975