The Mental Health of Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un: A Psychological Analysis
North Korea is one of the most secretive and isolated countries in the world, ruled by a dynastic dictatorship that has been in power for over seven decades. The current leader, Kim Jong-un, inherited the throne from his father, Kim Jong-il, who died in 2011. Both Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un have been widely regarded as ruthless, unpredictable, and irrational by the international community, often provoking tensions and conflicts with their nuclear and missile tests, human rights violations, and aggressive rhetoric. But what can psychology tell us about the mental health of these two leaders, and how they differ from each other? How can we apply the concepts of narcissism, paranoia, and psychopathy to analyze their behavior and mindset? And how do their different personalities affect their leadership and relations with the outside world?
Some definitions :
Narcissism is a personality trait characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. Narcissists often have a grandiose sense of entitlement, a belief that they are superior and special, and a tendency to exploit and manipulate others for their own benefit. Narcissists also have a fragile self-esteem, which makes them sensitive to criticism and prone to react with anger, hostility, or aggression when their self-image is threatened.
Paranoia is a mental disorder characterized by a pervasive and irrational suspicion of others, a belief that one is being persecuted or conspired against, and a distorted perception of reality. Paranoids often have delusions of grandeur, a belief that they have a special mission or destiny, and a tendency to see hidden meanings and patterns in events. Paranoids also have a difficulty trusting others, which makes them isolate themselves and rely on a loyal inner circle of supporters.
Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by a lack of conscience, remorse, or guilt, a disregard for the rights and feelings of others, and a propensity for violence and antisocial behavior. Psychopaths often have a superficial charm, a manipulative and cunning nature, and a lack of empathy or emotional attachment. Psychopaths also have a difficulty feeling fear, which makes them impulsive, reckless, and thrill-seeking.
Based on these definitions, it is clear that both Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un exhibit some degree of narcissism, paranoia, and psychopathy, which may explain some of their actions and decisions as leaders of North Korea. However, there are also some differences between the father and son, which may reflect their different backgrounds, experiences, and personalities.
Kim Jong-il was born in 1941, during the Japanese occupation of Korea, and grew up in the shadow of his father, Kim Il-sung, the founder and first leader of North Korea. Kim Jong-il was groomed to succeed his father since the 1970s, and gradually assumed more power and influence in the party, the military, and the state. Kim Jong-il was known for his eccentric and lavish lifestyle, his obsession with movies and art, and his fear of flying, which made him travel by train. Kim Jong-il was also responsible for the disastrous famine of the 1990s, which killed millions of North Koreans, and the development of the nuclear and missile programs, which made North Korea a pariah state.
Kim Jong-un was born in 1984, during the peak of North Korea’s isolation and economic decline, and was the youngest and favored son of Kim Jong-il. Kim Jong-un was educated in Switzerland, where he was exposed to Western culture and technology, and was chosen to succeed his father in 2009, after his father suffered a stroke. Kim Jong-un was officially declared the leader of North Korea in 2012, after his father’s death, and quickly consolidated his power by purging and executing potential rivals, including his uncle and half-brother. Kim Jong-un was also known for his modern and youthful image, his interest in sports and entertainment, and his willingness to engage in diplomacy, which led to historic summits with South Korea, China, and the United States.
Based on these biographies, it is possible to identify some similarities and differences between Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un in terms of their narcissism, paranoia, and psychopathy.
Both Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un share a high level of narcissism, which is evident in their cult of personality, their propaganda, and their self-aggrandizement. Both leaders have portrayed themselves as the supreme and infallible leaders of North Korea, the inheritors of the revolutionary legacy of Kim Il-sung, and the saviors and protectors of the Korean people. Both leaders have also demanded absolute loyalty and obedience from their subordinates and citizens, and have rewarded and punished them accordingly. Both leaders have also exploited and oppressed their people for their own benefit, and have shown little concern or compassion for their suffering and plight.
However, there are also some differences between Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un in terms of their narcissism, which may reflect their different levels of confidence and insecurity. Kim Jong-il was more insecure and defensive about his narcissism, which made him more secretive and isolated from the outside world, and more sensitive and reactive to criticism and challenges. Kim Jong-il was also more dependent on his father’s legacy and legitimacy, which made him more conservative and rigid in his policies and ideology. Kim Jong-un, on the other hand, was more confident and assertive about his narcissism, which made him more open and accessible to the outside world, and more flexible and adaptive to changes and opportunities. Kim Jong-un was also more independent and innovative in his leadership, which made him more progressive and pragmatic in his policies and reforms.
Both Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un share a high level of paranoia, which manifests in their distrust and hostility toward the outside world, their belief in conspiracies and plots against them, and their distorted view of reality. They perceive the outside world, especially the United States and its allies, as enemies and threats, and pursue a policy of self-reliance and self-defense, based on the nuclear and missile programs. They also suspect and accuse the outside world, especially South Korea and its allies, of infiltrating and sabotaging their regime, and respond with provocations and attacks. They deny and distort the reality of their situation, and create a false and favorable image of their country and themselves.
However, there are also some differences between Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un in terms of their paranoia, which may reflect their different levels of fear and control. Kim Jong-il was more fearful and anxious about his paranoia, which made him more cautious and defensive in his actions and decisions, and more reliant on his loyal and trusted inner circle. Kim Jong-il was also more vulnerable and exposed to his paranoia, which made him more susceptible and reactive to external and internal pressures and challenges. Kim Jong-un, on the other hand, is more fearless and confident about his paranoia, which makes him more bold and aggressive in his actions and decisions, and more dominant and authoritative over his subordinates and institutions. Kim Jong-un is also more secure and protected from his paranoia, which makes him more resistant and proactive to external and internal opportunities and changes.
Both Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un also share a high level of psychopathy, which is evident in their lack of conscience, remorse, or guilt, their disregard for the rights and feelings of others, and their propensity for violence and antisocial behavior. They have committed and condoned atrocities and crimes against humanity, such as executions, torture, imprisonment, and starvation, against their own people and others. They have also exploited and manipulated others for their own gain, such as using their nuclear and missile programs as bargaining chips, and using their diplomacy as a deception. They have also shown a lack of empathy or emotional attachment, such as expressing no sorrow or regret for their actions, and showing no affection or loyalty for their family or friends.
However, there are also some differences between Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un in terms of their psychopathy, which may reflect their different levels of charm and cunning, and their different levels of impulsivity and recklessness. Kim Jong-il was more charming and cunning in his psychopathy, which made him more persuasive and deceptive in his interactions and negotiations, and more strategic and calculated in his plans and schemes. Kim Jong-il was also more impulsive and reckless in his psychopathy, which made him more unpredictable and irrational in his behavior and decisions, and more thrill-seeking and risk-taking in his lifestyle and hobbies. Kim Jong-un, on the other hand, is less charming and cunning in his psychopathy, which makes him less convincing and trustworthy in his interactions and negotiations, and less coherent and consistent in his plans and schemes. Kim Jong-un is also less impulsive and reckless in his psychopathy, which makes him more stable and rational in his behavior and decisions, and more cautious and conservative in his lifestyle and hobbies.
In conclusion, both Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un exhibit some degree of narcissism, paranoia, and psychopathy, which may explain some of their actions and decisions as leaders of North Korea. However, there are also some differences between the father and son, which may reflect their different backgrounds, experiences, and personalities. These differences may have implications for their leadership and relations with the outside world, and may pose different challenges and opportunities for the international community. Understanding the psychology of these two leaders may help us better understand and deal with the North Korean problem.
