Kim Yong-ju Facts for Kids

In this Korean name, the family name is Kim.

Quick facts for kids Hero of the Republic Kim Yong-ju
김영주
Kim Yong-ju in 2014

Honorary Vice President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly
In office September 1998 – December 2021
President	Kim Yong-nam Choe Ryong-hae
Vice President of North Korea
In office December 1993 – October 1997 Serving with Pak Song-chol, Ri Jong-ok, and Kim Pyong-sik
President	Kim Il-sung
Vice Premier of North Korea
In office 1974–1975
Premier	Kim Il
Head of the Organization and Guidance Department
In office 1959–1974
Leader	Kim Il-sung
Preceded by	Pak Yong-bin
Succeeded by	Kim Jong-il

Personal details
Born	1920 (1920) Taedong County, South Pyongan Province, Japanese Korea
Died	December 14, 2021 (aged 101) Pyongyang, North Korea
Political party	Workers' Party of Korea
Children	2 biological and 2 adopted
Parents	Kim Hyong-jik Kang Pan-sok
Relatives	Kim family
Alma mater	Moscow State University

Korean name
Chosŏn'gŭl	김영주
Hancha	金英柱
Revised Romanization	Gim Yeongju
McCune–Reischauer	Kim Yŏngchu

Kim Yong-ju (Chosŏn'gŭl: 김영주; 1920 – 14 December 2021) was an important politician in North Korea. He was the younger brother of Kim Il-sung, who led North Korea from 1948 to 1994. Kim Yong-ju held many important jobs in the government. He was a member of the Politburo during the 1960s and early 1970s. Later, he lost his powerful position in 1974. This happened after a disagreement with Kim Jong-il, Kim Il-sung's son. From 1998 until he died in 2021, he had a special role. He was the Honorary Vice President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA). The SPA is like North Korea's parliament.

Kim Yong-ju's Early Life and Education
Rising Through the Political Ranks
- Developing Key Ideologies
- Negotiations for Korean Reunification
Political Challenges and Later Life
- Differences in Political Views
- Return to Public Life
See also

Kim Yong-ju's Early Life and Education

Kim Yong-ju was born in 1920 in Taedong County. His parents were Kim Hyong-jik and Kang Pan-sok. His older brother, Kim Il-sung, was born eight years before him. When Kim Yong-ju was three, his family moved to southern Manchuria.

After finishing school, Kim Yong-ju went to Moscow State University. He studied economics there and also became very interested in philosophy. He graduated in 1945. After university, he joined the Workers' Party of Korea.

Rising Through the Political Ranks

Kim Yong-ju quickly moved up in the Workers' Party of Korea. In the 1950s and 1960s, he held several key positions. He started as a chief leader in 1954. Then he became a vice-director in 1957. By 1960, he was the director of the party's Organization and Guidance Department.

In 1961, he became a member of the WPK Central Committee. This happened at the party's 4th Congress. In 1966, he was promoted again. He became the Organizing Secretary of the WPK Central Committee.

Developing Key Ideologies

In 1967, Kim Yong-ju suggested an important idea to his brother. It was called the "Ten Principles for the Establishment of the One-Ideology System." These principles were about making sure everyone in society followed the ideas of Kim Il-sung. The first principle said that everyone should work to unite society with Kim Il-sung's revolutionary ideas. These principles were officially published in 1974.

Negotiations for Korean Reunification

In 1972, Kim Yong-ju played a big role in secret talks. He represented North Korea in discussions with Pak Chung-hee's government in South Korea. These talks were about bringing North and South Korea back together. The discussions led to an agreement called the July 4th North–South Korea Joint Statement. Kim Yong-ju and South Korea's representative, Lee Hu-rak, signed it. This statement set up conditions for a possible Korean reunification.

Political Challenges and Later Life

By 1970, many people thought Kim Yong-ju would take over from his brother, Kim Il-sung. He was elected as a member of the WPK Politburo. He also joined the top Central People's Committee [ja] and the SPA Presidium in 1972.

However, around the same time, Kim Il-sung started preparing his own son, Kim Jong-il, to be the next leader. This led to a disagreement over who would be in charge.

Differences in Political Views

During this time, the Workers' Party of Korea was focusing on Kim Il-sung's Juche idea. This idea was about North Korea being self-reliant. Kim Jong-il strongly supported Juche. But Kim Yong-ju had studied in the Soviet Union. He preferred a more traditional view of Marxism. He was not as keen on the very strong focus on Kim Il-sung's personality. This difference helped Kim Jong-il. Kim Yong-ju slowly lost his influence. His close supporters were removed from their jobs. Eventually, Kim Il-sung himself criticized Kim Yong-ju.

After a meeting of the Central Committee in February 1974, Kim Jong-il was chosen as the future leader. Kim Yong-ju's role was reduced. He became a vice-premier, which was a less powerful position.

Return to Public Life

Kim Yong-ju was not seen in public for a long time. Then, in 1993, Kim Il-sung called him back to Pyongyang. He served as one of North Korea's vice presidents. This was mostly a special, honorary position with no real power. In 1998, he was appointed Honorary Vice-President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly.

He received important awards for his service. In 2012, he was given the Order of Kim Jong-il. He also received the Order of Kim Il-sung and the title Hero of the Republic. Kim Yong-ju passed away in Pyongyang at the age of 101. North Korean state media announced his death on December 15, 2021.

Kim Yong-ju facts for kids

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