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A Look at Kim Jong-Un's First Year as Leader of North Korea Flag of North KoreaRelated Links North Korea Country Profile 2012 Year in Review 2012 News of the Nation 2012 People in the News 2012 Places in the News Quiz Country Profiles Egypt's New President Faces Challenges, Successes, and Criticism | Geopolitical Maritime Dispute Shares Headlines with Change of Leadership in China | No End in Sight in Syria's Civil War as Casualties Mount | Iran Continues to Pursue Nuclear Program and Taunts Israel | Israel Focuses on Iran and Internal Politics | UN Upgrades Palestinian Authority's Status After Battles Breakout in Gaza | Libya Holds First Post-Qaddafi Election | As U.S. Continues to Withdraw Troops from Afghanistan, Taliban Attacks Reveal Nation's Vulnerability | Putin Elected to a Third Term as Russian President but Protest Movement Gathers Steam | London Hosts the 2012 Summer Olympics After Kim Jong-il's death in Dec. 2011, Kim Jong-un succeeded his father and was given the title "Great Successor." Leaders and observers throughout the world expressed concern that Kim Jong-un would seek to prove himself a worthy successor to his father with an aggressive pursuit of nuclear weapons. There was a sense of cautious relief in late February when North Korea announced it was suspending uranium enrichment at its processing facility in Yongbyon and halting tests of weapons and long-range missiles. In answer, the U.S. said it would resume food aid to the impoverished nation. Analysts speculated that Kim Jong-un might be attempting to win the favor of North Koreans with the infusion of food or beginning to chart a new path in foreign relations. However, North Korea has made such promises in the past only to later renege. Sure enough, on April 12, the country attempted to launch a rocket carrying a satellite into orbit, but the rocket blew up seconds after the launch. The failure was an embarrassment to Kim Jong-un, who had just been honored with two new titles: leader of the national defense commission, the nation's most powerful government agency; and first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea. The launch coincided with the celebration of the 100th birthday of North Korea's founder and Kim Jong-un's grandfather, Kim Il-sung. In response to the attempt, the U.S. suspended 240,000 tons of food aid to North Korea. North Korea's next attempt to put a satellite into orbit was not a failure—at first. The successful launch of a rocket on Dec. 12 indicated that the country was inching closer toward developing the expertise to build an intercontinental ballistic missile. It also boosted Kim Jong-un's credibility both domestically and internationally, illustrating his seriousness in advancing the country's military capabilities. The launch took the world by surprise and prompted a call for another round of sanctions. Less than a week later, astronomers reported that the satellite was spinning in orbit, a sign that it had failed post-launch. More from 2012 Year in Review
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A Look at Kim Jong-Un’s First Year as Leader of North Korea
- More from 2012 Year in Review
After Kim Jong-il’s death in Dec. 2011, Kim Jong-un succeeded his father and was given the title “Great Successor.” Leaders and observers throughout the world expressed concern that Kim Jong-un would seek to prove himself a worthy successor to his father with an aggressive pursuit of nuclear weapons.
Flag of North Korea
- North Korea Country Profile 2012 Year in Review 2012 News of the Nation 2012 People in the News 2012 Places in the News Quiz Country Profiles
There was a sense of cautious relief in late February when North Korea announced it was suspending uranium enrichment at its processing facility in Yongbyon and halting tests of weapons and long-range missiles. In answer, the U.S. said it would resume food aid to the impoverished nation. Analysts speculated that Kim Jong-un might be attempting to win the favor of North Koreans with the infusion of food or beginning to chart a new path in foreign relations. However, North Korea has made such promises in the past only to later renege. Sure enough, on April 12, the country attempted to launch a rocket carrying a satellite into orbit, but the rocket blew up seconds after the launch. The failure was an embarrassment to Kim Jong-un, who had just been honored with two new titles: leader of the national defense commission, the nation’s most powerful government agency; and first secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea. The launch coincided with the celebration of the 100th birthday of North Korea’s founder and Kim Jong-un’s grandfather, Kim Il-sung. In response to the attempt, the U.S. suspended 240,000 tons of food aid to North Korea.
North Korea’s next attempt to put a satellite into orbit was not a failure—at first. The successful launch of a rocket on Dec. 12 indicated that the country was inching closer toward developing the expertise to build an intercontinental ballistic missile. It also boosted Kim Jong-un’s credibility both domestically and internationally, illustrating his seriousness in advancing the country’s military capabilities. The launch took the world by surprise and prompted a call for another round of sanctions. Less than a week later, astronomers reported that the satellite was spinning in orbit, a sign that it had failed post-launch.
.com/news/year-in-review/2012/north-korea.html
Sources +
Our Common Sources
Our Common Sources
2012 World News: Israel and Palestinian State
- 2012 World News: Israel and Palestinian State
TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Current Events This Week: January 2023
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Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
TrendingHere are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.
Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Current Events This Week: January 2023
African Americans by the Numbers
Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales
- Did Birds Evolve from Dinosaurs?
- The Twelve Dancing Princesses
- Current Events This Week: January 2023
- African Americans by the Numbers
- Andersen’s Fairy Tales: Contents
- The Celtic Twilight: A Teller of Tales