The death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il on Dec. 17, 2011 sent shockwaves throughout North Korea, as well as the world. His cult personality and portrayal by North Korea has helped to legitimize his role as a leader and the reaction to his death by the North Korean nation has been nothing less than fascinating.

Kim Jong Il was born as the eldest son to father Kim Il Sung and his first wife, Kim Jong Suk. His birth date was changed from 1941 to 1942 to create a more convenient 30-year age difference between the son and father. His birth place was altered as well, stating in official records that he was born on a secret camp on Mt. Paektu in Samjiyon County, Ryanggang Province. Kim Jong Il began his work in politics at the age of 23 at the Central Committee of Workers’ Party.

Kim Jong Il began as a guidance officer in the cultural and propaganda departments of the party. Kim Il Sung began to prepare his son as the apparent heir in 1971, and between then and 1980, Kim Jong Il was given increasingly important positions in the Korean Workers Party. While he continued to work his way up in politics, his father, Kim Il Sung, died on July 8, 1994. It was then that Kim Jong Il inherited supreme power, becoming the Chairman of the National Defense Commission, a position known as the highest office of state.

The Dear Leader, as he was referred to by his people, is known for being extremely eccentric and living an extravagant lifestyle. He maintained that lifestyle until the cardiac arrest that led to his death. Kim Jong Il has left behind a legacy that will live on.

The above information was taken from www.biography.com.