17210. KIM JONG IL: NORTH KOREA'S 'DEAR LEADER'. This paper provides a brief biography of North Korea’s enigmatic leader, President Kim Jong Il. The paper profiles Kim’s early life, traces Kim’s rise to power; discusses the role of the hereditary presidency, the Juche ideology and the cult of personality in maintaining Kim’s power; and provides an overview of Kim Jong Il’s personality, habits and leadership style. Keywords: North Korea presidents leaders politics foreign Kim Jong Il personality. Written 2004. 11 pages; 42 footnotes; 18 bibliographic sources. 3,201 words.