Think you know everything about North Korea’s supreme leader? These fun facts about Kim Jong Un go beyond the headlines and into the bizarre, the hidden, and the downright unbelievable.
Truth be told, we don’t know his actual date of birth. However, officially, his date of birth was drafted in a way so it would fall on the 70th anniversary of the birth of his grandfather, Kim Il-sung, and 40 years after the birth of his father, Kim Jong-il.
Early in his life, the North Korean prince developed a grandiose personality around his grandfather. On his 8th birthday, he wore a general outfit studded with shiny stars. Real officers of the North Korean army had to bow to him and pay their respects. When he was turned 11, Kim stepped us a notch by carrying a sidearm with him. It was an American Colt .45.
He was seriously competitive in basketball which he developed a strong liking for during his time in Switzerland. People who knew him at the time have said he might have not been a dedicated student, but he was a fierce basketball player. One classmate said Kim “was very sensational” on the basketball court and he could make things happen and was a playmaker.
Kim’s schoolmates said he was a “good friend” to the people with whom he grew close. Classmate Marco Imhof said, “He was funny. Always good for a laugh. He also hated to lose. Winning was very important.” His friends felt that he had a sense of humor and got on well with everyone, even freshmen from countries that were enemies of North Korea.
Allegedly, Kim Jong-un could drive a car at age 3, but while that’s virtually impossible, there may be some truth to the claim that he could drive several of the family’s luxury automobiles by age 7.
They include –“The Main Leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”, “the Leader of the Party, and the People.” “The New Start”, “The Brilliant Comrade”, “The Genius Among Others”, and “The Marshall of North Korea” among a dozen others.
Kim reportedly has expensive tastes, including imported liquor and caviar, $200-per-pair Nike sneakers, and designer cigarettes from Yves Saint Laurent. The North Korean leader is also believed to have a custom-designed 200-foot yacht.
In August 2015, Kim ordered clocks in the country to be set back by 30 minutes. so he could restore his country back to its original time zone, before Japanese colonization.
Official sources claim he’s 5’7″, but photos often suggest otherwise. He’s often seen in platform shoes, allegedly to boost his height and authority.
Sources say he enjoys James Bond films and action-packed Hollywood blockbusters. Ironically, movies that glorify everything North Korea censors.
Yes, North Korea’s state media once referred to Joe Biden as a “low IQ individual” and an “imbecile bereft of elementary quality as a human being.” This statement came in response to Biden’s criticism of Kim’s regime. While it sounds outrageous, North Korean propaganda is known for its colorful language—and this was no exception.
Yes. Every image released is approved by state propaganda teams, often edited to perfection. The lighting, the pose, even the angles—everything is premeditated.
In 2020, rumors swirled about his health. Some believe he disappeared from the spotlight to test loyalty within his inner circle. Others say it was medical—but we may never know.
Possibly this: He once imported a litter of performing dogs from Russia and trained them for circus-like events held exclusively for the elite.
Whether it’s basketball fandom, bizarre titles, or staged photo ops, the fun facts about Kim Jong Un reveal a figure equal parts mystery, myth, and meme-worthy madness. Whatever your opinion, one thing’s for sure—no textbook will ever cover this side of him.