Public Succession Debut
Appears in senior party roles before succession.
Role range: 2010-2011 – 2010-2011
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Kim Jong Un Biography and Timeline
Follow Kim Jong Un through 30 dated historical records for North Korea.
Kim Jong Un, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
30Distinct records
1 of 1Page
2010–2024Years on this page
2010
2011
Succession to Kim Jong Il
Is proclaimed supreme leader after Kim Jong Il dies.
Role range: 1948- – 2011-
2012
First Secretary
Becomes First Secretary of the Workers Party.
Role range: 2012-2016 – 2012-2016
National Defence Commission
Becomes First Chairman of the National Defence Commission.
Role range: 1948- – 2012-2016
Kwangmyongsong 3 Launch
North Korea launches a satellite into orbit.
Role range: 2012-2012 – 2011-
2013
Third Nuclear Test
North Korea conducts its third nuclear test.
Role range: 2013-2013 – 2011-
Jang Song Thaek Purge
Purges and executes Jang Song Thaek.
Role range: 1948- – 2011-
2016
Fourth Nuclear Test
North Korea conducts its fourth nuclear test.
Role range: 2016-2016 – 2011-
Seventh Party Congress
Is elected party chairman at the Seventh Congress.
Role range: 2016-2016 – 2016-2021
State Affairs Commission
Becomes chairman of the State Affairs Commission.
Role range: 1948- – 2016-
Fifth Nuclear Test
North Korea conducts its fifth nuclear test.
Role range: 2016-2016 – 2011-
2017
Hwasong 14 Test
North Korea tests the Hwasong-14 ICBM.
Role range: 2017-2017 – 2011-
Sixth Nuclear Test
North Korea conducts its sixth nuclear test.
Role range: 2017-2017 – 2011-
Hwasong 15 Test
North Korea tests the Hwasong-15 ICBM.
Role range: 2017-2017 – 2011-
2019
Hanoi Summit
Meets Donald Trump at the Hanoi summit.
Role range: 1948- – 2011-
State Affairs Re-election
Is re-elected chairman of the State Affairs Commission.
Role range: 1948- – 2016-
2020
Typhoon Recovery Campaign
Mobilizes recovery work after typhoon damage.
Role range: 1948- – 2011-
2021
General Secretary
Becomes general secretary of the Workers Party.
Role range: 2021- – 2021-
Five Year Plan
Announces a new five-year economic plan.
Role range: 2021-2025 – 2011-
2022
Hwasong 17 Test
North Korea tests the Hwasong-17 ICBM.
Role range: 2022-2022 – 2011-
Nuclear Forces Law
North Korea codifies nuclear weapons policy in law.
Role range: 2022- – 2011-
2023
Solid Fuel ICBM Test
North Korea tests a solid-fuel ICBM.
Role range: 2023-2023 – 2011-
Malligyong Satellite
North Korea launches a military reconnaissance satellite.
Role range: 2023-2023 – 2011-
2024
South Korea Hostile State
Declares South Korea a hostile state in policy remarks.
Role range: 2024- – 2011-
Hypersonic Missile Claim
Claims a successful hypersonic missile test.
Role range: 2024-2024 – 2011-
Mutual Defence Treaty
Signs a mutual defense treaty with Vladimir Putin.
Role range: 2022- – 2011-
Russia Partnership
Signs a strategic partnership with Vladimir Putin during the war
Role range: 2022- – 2011-
Flood Recovery Campaign
Visits flood-hit areas and orders recovery efforts.
Role range: 2024-2024 – 2011-
Troop Deployment Reports
Reports emerge of North Korean troops supporting Russia.
Role range: 2022- – 2011-
Hwasong 19 Test
North Korea tests the Hwasong-19 intercontinental missile.
Role range: 2024-2024 – 2011-
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.