Appellations Replete with Admiration
Kim Jong Il (1942-2011), chairman of the National Defence Commission of the DPRK, enjoyed many appellations as well as boundless respect and admiration from the Korean people and the world people for his noble virtues and unassuming character, and the great exploits he achieved for the socialist cause and the cause of global independence.
Appellations from the Locals
Chairman Kim Jong Il was awarded such endearing and respected appellations by the Korean people as “dear leader”, “our General”, “fatherly General”, “father of the people”, “architect of happiness” and “peerless patriot”.
These appellations epitomize their boundless reverence for Kim Jong Il.
He regarded it as his firm faith and worth of life to serve the people all his life. In retrospect, it can be seen that his joy, happiness and worth of life were all linked with the road for serving the people.
In December 2011, the last period of his life, medical workers tried to dissuade him from going on an inspection trip as they worried about his serious illness caused by hard work, but he got on the train to set out again on the trip for the people, saying, “I’m so sorry, doctors, that I cannot do what you asked me to do. Please do what I tell you to do.” And he passed away on that train.
The Korean people held him in high esteem with endearing appellations and still remember him.
Appellations from the World People
Chairman Kim Jong Il received numerous appellations from many people across the world.
They called him a “seasoned and outstanding statesman”, “great ideologist”, “outstanding political veteran”, “defender of justice”, “guardian of peace for mankind”, “world’s most preeminent military strategist”, “immensely dear leader”, “incarnation of affection”, “great saint of the times”, “master of diplomatic strategy”, “leader of great versatility”, “kind-hearted and humble man”, “incarnation of benevolence”, “great saint attracting all the people”, etc.
In April 1965 Premier Kim Il Sung (1912-1994) visited Indonesia.
At that time Indonesian President Sukarno, seeing Chairman Kim Jong Il devoting great efforts for ensuring health and safety of Kim Il Sung while accompanying him, said as follows:
“In my country a saying goes that a distinguished general is trained under a distinguished general. As Premier Kim Il Sung is a world-famous man, his ‘young commander’ must surely also be a great man.”
When asked about his impression after meeting Chairman Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang in July 2000, Russian President Putin said that Kim Jong Il was a modern man who is well aware of the world situation and analyses and appraises it objectively and accurately.
In her report submitted to the US President after her visit to the DPRK in October 2000, then US Secretary of State Albright wrote: All in all, I admit that Kim Jong Il is a leader of great versatility who has well-knit theories on political, economic, cultural, military, diplomatic and all other subjects and firm faith, and is broad-minded and scrupulous.
