Who spends his lunch eating so much fancy cheese
and imported Kobe beef that he gave himself gout? Who tours military production facilities
surrounded by tanks, then chugs expensive imported whiskey and smokes fancy French
cigarettes while ordering mass executions? Who invites former American basketball stars
to his massive palace when he’s not spending his evening being serenaded by
his own personal girl group? This would only be an average day for Kim Jong Un.
Since being sworn in back in 2011 as the new head of the country’s ruling dynasty, Kim Jong Un
has reigned as the Supreme Leader of North Korea for over a decade. In that time, the man has
garnered a reputation as one of the most fearsome, powerful, and controversial figures on the
world stage, thanks to his totalitarian regime, ongoing tensions with the United States,
Japan, and, of course, South Korea, and the constant fear over his access to nuclear
weapons. His tenure in his position of power is characterized by his ruthless consolidation of
power and a dramatic, unsettling acceleration of the country’s nuclear weapons program.
And yet, despite his high profile, there is very little that’s actually known about
Kim Jong Un’s personal, day-to-day life. Just what does somebody do when they’ve got all that
time, money, and power at their disposal? Well, we’d be willing to bet that he probably doesn’t
spend all his time wandering the halls of his palace and singing about how lonely he is, like
his dad used to - And that’s about the only Team America joke we can get away with here on YouTube.
Joking aside, we’ve scoured our way through reports about the secretive lifestyle of North
Korea’s diabolical dictator to find out just what goes on in a day in the life of Kim Jong Un.
Now, not everyone’s a morning person, but we would imagine that having to live
your life with the near-constant threat of assassination attempts would be enough to
keep even the toughest person awake at night. It has long been reported that Kim Jong Un has
often struggled with insomnia, brought on by the stress of his position and the dangers it
also brings. Having all that power might sound like a safe and secure position to hold, but
it brings with it plenty of potential threats to his life. Due to this, he is thought to have a
somewhat erratic sleep pattern, not waking up at a regular time each morning. Instead, the time he
gets up is likely subject to change depending on what was occupying his time on the previous day.
Most of us start our mornings with a warm cup of coffee, and it’s possible that Kim Jong Un is
no exception to that. It’s been reported that Kim often starts his day with Brazilian coffee,
which is considerably more expensive. Brazil is the largest coffee-producing country in the
world, and a high quantity of their coffee is imported into North Korea –an estimated
900,000 US dollars’ worth of it a year. However, this coffee isn’t for everyone, and is
hoarded for Kim Jong Un and his staff; sadly, it’s not a luxury the people of North Korea
can afford, given that around sixty percent of citizens are living below the poverty line
– all thanks to Kim’s totalitarian regime. It’s been speculated that exercise doesn’t play
much of a part in Kim Jong Un’s daily routine, unless you count exercising his dictatorial power
over his country. He also doesn’t seem to have the diet of a person who is all that conscious about
his health. There has even been intelligence gathered by South Korea that implies Kim Jong Un
might actually be obese - if you couldn’t tell just by looking at the guy - as well as suffering
from high blood pressure and diabetes. He’s known to be fonder of richer, more indulgent
foods over those that are more nutritious. For example, the Supreme Leader is
particularly fond of Emmental cheese, possibly stemming from his time as a student
in Switzerland at the International School of Berne. That’s right - Kim was schooled in
Switzerland under a fake name so he could receive a first-rate education. Strangely, he was actually
described as a good student, being shy but polite, and being an extremely ardent fan of basketball
- particularly with Michael Jordan. Kim’s basketball obsession has never faded and will
come out in a particularly strange way later. In 2009, an alleged school friend of Kim's
came forward to the Washington Post with more details of Kim’s day-to-day activities during
his student years. According to the friend, young Kim enjoyed doodling - mainly sketching
members of the Chicago Bulls, his favorite basketball team - and was an ardent gamer. He was
also a big fan of Jackie Chan's Kung Fu movies. We have no idea whether he keeps up with Mr. Chan’s
filmography to this day, or if he still plays computer games, but we know he never stopped
eating like a particularly gluttonous Swiss. It is possibly even thanks to his indulgent diet
that Kim Jong Un may have developed gout. While hearing that word might immediately call to mind
mental images of disease-ridden medieval England, gout is actually a form of arthritis that is still
somewhat common; in fact, in the United States, cases of gout have increased over the past
twenty years to the point where it affects around three percent of the population. It is
caused by a build-up of uric acid in the body, which has been linked to weight gain,
particularly from consuming richer foods. Saltier fish can contribute to this, and wouldn’t
you know, Kim Jong Un is a big fan of sushi. A regular part of Kim’s diet is special sushi
made from tuna, which is high in fat, as well as shark fin soup. While this is considered to
be something of a delicacy in parts of the world, shark fin soup also contributes to declining
shark populations thanks to the hunting involved, threatening to drive certain species towards
extinction - So it’s not just other humans that Kim’s daily routine has been killing.
Kim Jong Un has also been known to order top-quality pork all the way from Denmark, caviar
that he has delivered from Iran, Chinese melon, and steaks of Kobe beef, a delicacy from
Japan. Kim spares no expense when it comes to feeding himself and his inner circle
with the best cuisine from around the world. While it is not known exactly how much he spends
on food, the total is estimated to be in the millions, just like the millions of North Korean
citizens struggling to gain access to healthy, nutritious sources of food while their
Supreme Leader enjoys so many extravagant dishes that it’s affecting his health.
Speaking of his health, excessive alcohol intake is another factor that might also have
contributed to Kim developing gout. Sure enough, Kim Jong Un is partial to a lot of expensive
liquors, reportedly spending the equivalent of thirty million US dollars on importing some of the
most luxury brands for him and his inner circle. He’s believed to be fond of higher-end brands
of whiskey and cognac, like the famously smooth Hennessy – the more expensive bottles of
which can run up to over $2000 in the United States. Some of his other favorites reportedly
include vodka imported directly from Russia, champagne, and – perhaps most bizarrely
– snake wine. Originating from China, this strange beverage is produced by infusing
rice wine or grain alcohol… with an entire snake. Only the bessssst for the Supreme Leader.
Kim Jong Un’s penchant for knocking back a few glasses of the hard stuff seems to have
only increased in recent years. In 2023, he turned thirty-nine, and this apparently
brought with it a wave of concern over his worsening health and the rapid approach
of the dreaded four-zero: turning forty. Whether he’s drinking a lot because
of a mid-life crisis or not, Kim Jong Un has long been thought
to be something of a party animal, staying up all night drinking just like his
dad… who also had gout, as did Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong Un’s grandfather and the founder
of North Korea. Kim’s older brother, Kim Jong Nam, also suffered from gout.
But despite his many health concerns, Kim Jong Un has an entire team of scientists on
hand who are dedicated to finding ways to extend his lifespan. According to a researcher named
Hyenong-soo Kim, who fled from North Korea, Kim Jong Un has a team of medics continuously
looking into ways to keep the dictator healthy despite his indulgent lifestyle.
The Longevity Institute was established specifically for this purpose, with the goal
of finding a way to circumvent or prevent the symptoms of the cardiovascular and diabetic
problems brought on by the Supreme Leader’s unhealthy diet. Unfortunately for those working at
the institute, finding other obese people in North Korea to conduct studies is difficult, given
that most of the population is malnourished. It’s also worth pointing out that you probably
don’t need to be a scientist to tell Kim Jong Un that the solution to his problems is probably
more sleep, and less fancy cheese and expensive booze - though you’d probably end up in a
forced labor camp for pointing this out. Back to his routine, and after what is likely
an indulgent and lavish breakfast, Kim Jong Un’s morning activities typically include a series
of orchestrated visits to munitions factories, naval shipyards, and other industrial centers
that bolster North Korea’s military strength. These visits are all a facet of the widespread
propaganda campaign that has engulfed the country, specifically designed to portray Kim as a
leader who deeply cares about the ordinary working people of North Korea. But if his life
of luxury compared to the abject suffering and struggles of those people says anything,
it betrays how much he actually cares about Korean citizens – which is to say, not a lot.
Still, his carefully crafted image is intended to boost the general opinion of Kim Jong Un among
the people of North Korea, as well as to further uphold the country’s nationalistic ideals. If you
want an idea as to how insidious the propaganda of North Korea is, you need only look out across the
Demilitarized Zone separating it from South Korea. There, you’ll see Gijungdong, a seemingly
idyllic village that is intentionally made to look appealing to those in the South in
an attempt to persuade them to defect to North Korea. Kim Jong Un even called for a new
propaganda campaign in 2022 amid North Korea’s economic struggles as a way to ‘boost morale’ –
or, more likely, to bolster his own independent and militaristic goals for the country,
with the aid of the Workers’ Party Congress. Officials in Pyongyang even restrict foreign
visitors and journalists from taking photos within North Korea, intentionally turning
international attention away from the inherent bleakness of a country where so many are living
in poverty. Not the Supreme Leader, though. Here’s an example of propaganda intersecting
with Kim Jong Un’s lavish way of living: according to some North Korean school textbooks,
Kim was a child prodigy who learned to drive at the age of only three years old. While that seems
highly unlikely, what is undoubtedly true is that he owns an extensive garage of luxury cars.
Vehicles like this aren’t typically imported to North Korea, but Kim Jong Un has the resources
to get his hands on a number of high-end cars. His favorite brands include Mercedes Benz and BMWs,
and he apparently owns up to a hundred cars. It is actually illegal for citizens of North Korea
to freely travel around the country or leave on international flights without the express approval
of Kim Jong Un’s government. Many have braved this capital offense – and even risked death for
themselves and their families – in order to defect to South Korea. Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un himself is
often seen being ferried around in luxury limos, driving him to his various public appearances.
Given his prominent status, being able to appear at his various propaganda visits means that Kim
relies heavily on a tight-knit security detail, having his very own equivalent of the
Secret Service at his disposal. However, his security also has rather specific criteria
that they have to meet in order to protect the Supreme Leader. His bodyguards must be no
taller than five feet and five inches tall, the same height as Kim himself. This is so as not to
make the Supreme Leader look… well, not supreme. If he appears to be shorter or in any way
physically inferior or less imposing than his security detail, then it undermines his
image as a powerful and indomitable ruler. Of course, having a lot of firepower certainly
helps to reinforce that image, too. Kim Jong Un is normally escorted by several large armored
tanks mounted with machine guns to protect him from potential threats whenever he is out in the
open. As well as offering substantial firepower, having military vehicles in his presence also
serves to emphasize Kim Jong Un’s goal of building a powerful military force in the face of what he
considers to be hostile policies from the United States and other nations around the world.
Kim has often clung to a lot of the same policies that his father promoted, including a
strategy of promoting North Korea’s isolation and independence from the rest of the world,
building its own strength by expanding its nuclear weapons program. Although, Kim Jong Un
has often emphasized that the growing number of weapons in North Korea are intended to
defend the country, not start a war. Still, it’s always unsettling seeing anyone surrounded by
tanks and trucks showing off his latest missiles. Whenever he heads off on international visits,
Kim Jong Un’s security measures only increase. He’s often been known to make use of not one but
three separate planes, with two of them acting as decoys to avoid the risk of anyone knowing
exactly where he’s due to arrive at any given time. This meticulous approach to staying
safe, the heightened security and secrecy surrounding him, seem to give the impression
of someone who is both powerful and paranoid, possibly expecting some form of retaliation
against him for his treatment of his citizens. Fear of being assassinated doesn’t seem to stop
Kim from using his power to lead a frivolous lifestyle. Whenever taking brief breaks from his
oh-so-busy schedule, Kim Jong Un can sometimes be found aboard his custom-designed yacht.
Owning a yacht is a pipe dream for most ordinary people around the world, with hardly
any of us even achieving the wealth required to buy even a lower-end kind of boat.
For those impoverished in North Korea, the likelihood of owning a yacht is even further
away. And yet, Kim Jong Un has a 200-foot-long yacht worth between seven and eight million US
dollars. Its nickname? ‘Princess.’ How adorable. Once again evidencing Kim’s indulgent lifestyle,
it’s been speculated that he could easily afford a larger vessel, given the estimated equivalent of
five billion US dollars at his disposal, but he’s apparently grown attached to the familiarity
and comfort provided by his top-of-the-line yacht. His little Princess, if you will.
Of course, being on the water can get a little boring, but luckily for the Supreme Leader,
he can always spend his downtime at the Masikryong Ski Resort. This thirty-five million dollar
resort was developed at the behest of Kim Jong Un in order to drive up tourism in North Korea
and increase the amount of foreign visitors. And who wouldn’t want to vacation in a place
that has skiing and human rights violations? Located at the summit of Taehwa Peak, Masikryong
Ski Resort was constructed in just ten short months. While it was intended to drum up interest
from tourists, a potential additional motivating factor is that Kim himself is supposedly a big
fan of the sport. He even described the resort as impeccable, boasting several wood cabin
rooms, a spa, a restaurant, and a combined one hundred and ten kilometers of slopes.
However, despite all the amenities on offer, Masikryong Ski Resort is reportedly mostly unused
and is kept open by armies of workers, including men, women, and, most worryingly, children.
Providing skiing or yachting doesn’t take up too much of his time, Kim might still have room in
the day to oversee some of his political dealings. For example, orchestrating executions. Kim Jong
Un has ordered the deaths of over 340 people since he came to power in 2011, utilizing
a variety of methods, including the alleged use of anti-aircraft guns and even flamethrowers.
Seemingly, nobody is safe from his brutal forms of capital punishment, including members of his own
family. Both Kim Jong Un’s uncle and half-brother were executed at the Supreme Leader’s behest.
Jang Song-thaek, Kim’s uncle, was branded as a traitor and accused of a litany of crimes
– from plotting to overthrow the state to introducing disastrous reforms of North Korea’s
currency. Jang had married into the first family following his wedding to Kim Kyong Hui, one of
Kim Jon Il’s sisters. Although he had aided Kim Jong Un in cementing his authority, Jang was
reportedly a reformist who felt North Korea should open its doors to the world.
Following a military tribunal, Jang was stripped of his role within North
Korea’s Workers’ Party and then put to death. Some rumors even indicate that Jang’s headless
body was shown to other North Korean officials, with his head sitting on the body’s chest.
However, that rumor comes from the mouth of former President and occasional Kim Jong Un admirer,
Donald Trump. So, take it with a grain of salt. The assassination of Kim Jong Nam has been more
widely reported on, given that it occurred at an airport in Malaysia, not on North Korean soil. Kim
Jong Nam had, for a time, been reported to be the favored successor to Kim Jong Il, but seemingly
fell out of favor and was exiled in 2003. In 2017, he was approached by two women at Kuala
Lumpur International Airport who threw a liquid into his face. This was actually a VX nerve agent
that killed Kim Jong Nam in approximately fifteen minutes. According to reports, the two women –
Siti Aisyah from Indonesia and Đoàn Thị Hương from Vietnam – were approached by North Korean
agents who misled the pair of them into believing they were taking part in a TV prank show, and
told to throw the nerve agent at Kim Jong Nam. While these two women subsequently had the charges
of murder dropped, it is widely believed that Kim Jong Nam was intentionally murdered at the
behest of his half-brother, Kim Jong Un. After a busy day of being the face of a
propaganda campaign, enjoying expensive food, and ordering assassinations, Kim Jong Un no
doubt must get exhausted. So, he likes to unwind, and what better way to do that than at
his own personal indoor movie theater? Boasting a 1000-seat capacity, the Supreme Leader
probably puts his feet up and maybe even enjoys a cigarette while he watches a movie. While he’s
rumored to be a heavy smoker, Kim is hardly likely to buy just any old cigarettes from behind a store
counter. Ever one for the finer things in life, Kim Jong Un reportedly smokes the variety
produced by French designer Yves Sait Laurent – that costs $44 a pack here in the US.
As for what Kim likes watching, he’s apparently a fan of Godzilla movies, as well as a follower
of the NBA. See? We told you it’d come back. Kim’s enduring love for basketball is evidenced
by Kim Jong Un’s surprising friendship with former NBA star Dennis Rodman. Kim has invited Rodman
to Pyongyang multiple times, and the basketball player has even sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to the
dictator on the court. According to the former Chicago Bulls player, who has described himself
as a ‘friend for life’ of the Supreme Leader, Kim Jong Un also makes occasional retreats to his
own private luxury island, similar to places like Ibiza or Hawaii. Oh, and he also gifted Kim
with a copy of The Art of the Deal by – yep, here he is again – Donald Trump.
When he’s not hanging out in the company of disgraced former basketball players,
Kim has a group of women taken from classrooms across North Korea to keep him company. For
entertainment, he also has his own hand-picked, all-girl pop band called the Moranbong Band,
known for hits like their debut song ‘Do Prosper, Era of the Workers’ Party.’ It’ll sweep
the funky house scene any day now! Despite its associations with the Western
world, Kim Jong Un also apparently has a fondness for Disney movies, seen enamored with
costumed versions of Tigger and Minnie Mouse that appeared in a musical on state-run
television, which also featured early Disney animated classics like Dumbo and Snow
White playing on a screen in the background. Then, at the end of the day, Kim Jong Un returns
to his palace, which spans over 4.5 miles, and contains an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a
shooting range, and even a water slide. As ever, his luxury lifestyle contrasts with the
lives of ordinary North Korean people, who struggle to feed their families while
the Supreme Leader spends his evenings partying and feasting on more expensive food.
It’s worth remembering exactly why Kim Jong Un is so famous – or rather infamous – around the world.
Some of the sparse details about his secretive life can make him seem like an outlandish figure,
but he’s still the dictator of an entire country, not just another a celebrity with an
extravagant lifestyle. We’re still pretty curious about that snake wine, though…
Now check out “How Cruel Is North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un? And More Life Inside North
Korea Stories.” Or watch this instead!
