Plenty of purges mark Jong-un’s rise to power

PETALING JAYA: Kim Jong-un, 33, came to power in North Korea after his father’s demise in 2011.

Jong-un’s ascension was marked by reports of numerous purges and executions, which included that of his uncle Jang Sung-taek in 2013.

He was the youngest son and the successor of former Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il, and is the paternal half-brother of Kim Jong-nam, who was allegedly poisoned at KLIA 2.

Little is known about Jong-un’s childhood but he is believed to have studied in Switzerland. His mother Ko Yong-hui was Jong-il’s second mistress and was also known as the de facto first lady.