Kim Jong Un commands one of the world’s most secretive regimes. Recent military displays and diplomatic moves have thrust him into the global spotlight. His grip on power appears stronger than ever.
The Supreme Leader of North Korea officially assumed control in December 2011 following the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, perpetuating the Kim dynasty that has ruled since 1948. What began as an uncertain transition has evolved into a calculated demonstration of authoritative power and nuclear ambition. His recent activities in 2025 have raised alarm bells across Western capitals, particularly as North Korea continues to strengthen ties with Russia and China whilst expanding its nuclear capabilities.
The Kim Dynasty Continues Its Iron Grip
Kim Jong Un’s ascension to power was far from smooth. Unlike his father, who had years to consolidate authority, the younger Kim faced immediate challenges due to his lack of leadership experience. He responded with ruthless efficiency, executing his uncle Jang Song-thaek on charges of betrayal shortly after taking power. This brutal act sent a clear message about his willingness to eliminate any perceived threats to his authority.
The regime has evolved significantly under his watch. Kim held the seventh party congress in 2016, five years after assuming power. His father never held a single party congress during his 17-year rule. The congress reaffirmed “Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism” as the guiding principle, cementing the cult of personality around the Kim family.
Military Demonstrations Shake the Region
Kim Jong Un has been actively involved in strengthening North Korea’s military capabilities throughout 2025. On 10 October 2025, North Korea unveiled its most powerful nuclear weapon yet at a massive military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party. The Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, described by state media as the “most powerful nuclear strategic weapons system,” has not yet been tested but is believed capable of striking the continental United States.
The parade showcased more than just nuclear capabilities. Advanced tanks, artillery systems, drones, and shorter-range ballistic missiles filled Pyongyang’s main square. Tens of thousands of spectators braved heavy rain to witness the display, which featured North Korean troops who had fought alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, proudly waving both nations’ flags.
International Relations Take Centre Stage
He attended the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II parade in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This marked a significant diplomatic moment for the isolated regime. The October 2025 Workers’ Party anniversary parade in Pyongyang drew high-level foreign dignitaries, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian Security Council Deputy Head Dmitry Medvedev.
These visits demonstrate North Korea’s strategy to build a united front against the US-led West. Medvedev remarked on social media that “Friends are together, enemies are nervous,” underlining the growing solidarity between the three nations. South Korean intelligence reports that North Korea has supplied Russia with approximately 15,000 soldiers, along with significant deliveries of artillery, rockets, and missiles for the Ukraine conflict.
North Korean state media has also reported on Kim’s visits to military production facilities. In October 2025, he announced the deployment of “special assets” to counter the growing presence of US forces in South Korea. Experts interpret this to include advanced strategic weaponry such as tactical nuclear arms, hypersonic missiles, and possibly AI-based drones.
Succession Speculation Intensifies
His daughter, Kim Ju Ae, has made several public appearances alongside him in 2024 and 2025, which has led to speculation about her being his potential successor. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service reported in July 2024 that she is being trained to succeed her father. In September 2025, the agency assessed that Ju Ae had secured sufficient “revolutionary narrative” needed to strengthen her position as a likely successor.
The young girl, estimated to be around 10 to 12 years old, has been seen standing next to her father during ICBM launches and military parades, where she has received salutes from senior military officials. Her trip to China in September 2025 marked the first occasion she was observed outside North Korea. This international debut further fueled speculation about her role as heir apparent.
Michael Madden, an expert and founder of NK Leadership Watch, confirmed that Kim Jong Un is “planning early” for succession. He faces none of the improvisation his own rise entailed. Kim reportedly aims to spare his daughter from the turbulent start he experienced, including having to execute family members to consolidate power.
The Korean society is highly patriarchal, making this potential succession historically significant. If Kim Ju Ae takes over, it would mark a historic break from generations of male rule in Pyongyang and challenge deeply entrenched gender norms in North Korea. The Kim family claims descent from a divine lineage, asserting that only they are fit to lead the nation.
Britain’s Response to the North Korean Threat
The UK government maintains a policy of critical engagement with North Korea. The Foreign Office makes clear the views of the UK and international community on North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme, proliferation activities, and human rights record. Britain encourages North Korea to engage with the outside world through credible dialogue.
The UK’s National Security Strategy 2025 identifies North Korea as part of a broader threat landscape requiring a hardened approach. The government has committed to spending 5% of GDP on national security, a generational increase underlining Britain’s commitment to defence and security. The Strategic Defence Review 2025 outlines plans for a more integrated, digitally-enabled, and lethal force to address threats from multiple adversaries.
UK defence officials have warned that North Korea is poised to continue modernising its nuclear arsenal to ensure regime survival. The assessment emphasises concerns about North Korea’s growing cooperation with Russia and its implications for European security. British policymakers are evaluating whether current policy tools and partnerships are fit for purpose in addressing the evolving situation on the Korean Peninsula.
According to the BBC, concerns about a “third nuclear age” have emerged, with Britain threatened by multiple foes including Russia and its allies. The head of the armed forces warned about this new era of nuclear risk in late 2024, highlighting the interconnected threats facing the West.
Nuclear Ambitions and Global Implications
Kim Jong Un’s regime has declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear state. Since the collapse of denuclearisation talks with former US President Donald Trump in 2019, Pyongyang has rejected any possibility of relinquishing its atomic weapons. North Korea now hopes that President Trump will admit the North into the nuclear club.
The North Korean leader recently made new talks with Washington conditional on the US “giving up its absurd obsession with denuclearisation”. In a surprising shift from his typical anti-US stance, Kim expressed “fond memories” of former President Trump and indicated willingness to engage in dialogue. Trump recently indicated a desire to meet with Kim again, expressing optimism about improving relations.
China, whilst wary of a nuclear North Korea, has stopped issuing statements calling for denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. This represents a significant shift in regional dynamics. The situation has become more complex as North Korea’s relationship with Russia deepens, with cooperation growing in both military and diplomatic spheres.
Life Under the Supreme Leader
North Korea remains one of the world’s poorest countries based on GDP per capita. It ranks 118th out of 127 nations on the Global Hunger Index, with around one in five children suffering stunted growth due to malnutrition. This stark reality contrasts sharply with the regime’s massive military expenditures and nuclear ambitions.
In his speech before the 80th anniversary celebrations, Kim vowed to transform North Korea into “the best socialist paradise in the world”. Yet the country remains deeply isolated, with limited access to outside information and severe restrictions on personal freedoms. The regime maintains control through extensive surveillance, propaganda, and harsh punishment for dissent.
The contrast between Kim’s promises and the reality faced by ordinary North Koreans could not be starker. Whilst the Supreme Leader showcases advanced weaponry and hosts foreign dignitaries, millions struggle with food insecurity. The regime prioritises military might over economic development, a choice that has profound consequences for the population.
Regional Security Concerns Mount
South Korea’s capital, Seoul, plans to construct a civilian bunker capable of withstanding nuclear, biological, or chemical attacks by 2028. This initiative by the Seoul metropolitan government is a direct response to the heightened nuclear threat from North Korea. The move underscores the very real fear that Kim Jong Un’s nuclear capabilities inspire in neighbouring countries.
Relations between North Korea, the United States, and South Korea remain at a particularly low point. Kim frequently criticises both nations and has announced the deployment of special assets to major targets of concern. The US maintains approximately 28,500 troops in South Korea as part of a longstanding security alliance.
Joint military exercises conducted by the US, Japan, and South Korea have drawn angry responses from Kim, who brands them preparations for invasion. The US and its allies maintain these drills are necessary given Pyongyang’s unpredictability and the build-up of its UN-sanctioned nuclear arsenal.
Looking Ahead
Kim Jong Un’s position appears more secure than at any point since he took power. His military modernisation programme continues apace, diplomatic ties with Russia and China are strengthening, and potential succession planning is underway. The international community faces difficult choices about how to respond to a regime that shows no signs of abandoning its nuclear ambitions.
The UK government, through official channels, continues to monitor the situation closely. British officials maintain that addressing North Korea requires coordinated international action, robust sanctions enforcement, and maintaining deterrence capabilities. The challenge remains finding effective ways to engage with a regime that has repeatedly defied international norms.
As Kim Jong Un consolidates power and expands his nuclear arsenal, the world watches with growing concern. The Supreme Leader has transformed North Korea into a nuclear-armed state with strengthening international partnerships. Whether diplomacy can find a way forward remains one of the most pressing questions facing global security.
Much like other prominent figures who have captured public attention, including Gemma Collins, Danniella Westbrook, and Molly Mae Hague, Kim Jong Un remains a subject of intense media scrutiny, though for vastly different reasons. Whilst these personalities navigate the world of entertainment and celebrity, Kim navigates the treacherous waters of international diplomacy and nuclear brinkmanship. Similarly, just as sports figures like Stephen Bunting command attention in their arenas, Kim commands attention on the world stage, though the stakes are infinitely higher.
The coming months may prove crucial. Speculation about a potential meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong Un at the Demilitarised Zone continues. With Trump scheduled to visit South Korea for the APEC summit at the end of October 2025, diplomatic opportunities may emerge. Whether such engagement can produce meaningful progress on denuclearisation remains highly uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kim Jong Un and how did he come to power?
Kim Jong Un is the Supreme Leader of North Korea who officially took power in December 2011 after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il. He is the third generation of the Kim dynasty to rule North Korea, continuing a family dictatorship that began in 1948. His transition to power was marked by initial uncertainty and ruthless consolidation of authority, including the execution of his uncle.
What is the Hwasong-20 missile that North Korea recently unveiled?
The Hwasong-20 is North Korea’s newest intercontinental ballistic missile, described by state media as the “most powerful nuclear strategic weapons system”. Unveiled at the 10 October 2025 military parade, this missile has not yet been tested but is believed capable of striking the continental United States. Its size suggests it could carry multiple nuclear warheads.
Is Kim Jong Un’s daughter being prepared to succeed him?
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service reported that Kim Ju Ae is being trained to succeed her father. She has made numerous public appearances alongside Kim Jong Un at military events and made her first international trip to China in September 2025. Experts believe Kim is “planning early” for succession to avoid the turbulent transition he experienced.
What is the UK’s position on North Korea?
The UK maintains a policy of critical engagement with North Korea, making clear views on its nuclear weapons programme and human rights record. The government’s National Security Strategy 2025 addresses North Korea as part of a broader threat landscape, with UK defence officials warning about continued nuclear modernisation. Britain encourages dialogue whilst supporting international sanctions.
How close is North Korea to Russia and China?
North Korea has significantly strengthened ties with both Russia and China in 2025. South Korean intelligence reports that North Korea has supplied Russia with approximately 15,000 soldiers and significant military equipment for the Ukraine conflict. High-level officials from both countries attended North Korea’s October 2025 military parade, demonstrating growing solidarity against US influence.
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