Magnum Photos Blog

From the Archive 

20 Years Ago: Kim Jong-il Becomes Supreme Leader of North Korea 

July 7, 2014 
by Magnum Photographers 
Only July 8th, 1994 Kim Jong-il succeeded his father, Kim Il-sung, as Supreme Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and would retain total control of the nation until his death in December, 2011. Soon after his death, his son Kim Jong-un assumed power, thus insuring the continuation of the heredity dictatorship established by Kim Il-sung.