When you hear the name Kim Jong Un, you probably think of missiles, high-stakes summits, or that distinctive haircut. But there’s a whole side to the "Mount Paektu Bloodline" that feels more like a Shakespearean tragedy or a spy thriller than a political briefing. Honestly, the story of the brother of Kim Jong Un isn't just one story—it’s two completely different paths that show exactly how the North Korean regime handles family when power is on the line.
You’ve got Kim Jong Nam, the playboy exile who met a gruesome end in a crowded airport, and Kim Jong Chol, the Eric Clapton superfan who seems perfectly content staying out of the spotlight. It’s wild to think that the course of history shifted because one guy wanted to visit Disneyland and the other was "too effeminate" for his father’s liking.
The Tragic Fate of Kim Jong Nam: The Brother Who Knew Too Much
Most people first heard about the brother of Kim Jong Un back in February 2017. It was a Monday morning at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Kim Jong Nam, traveling under the alias "Kim Chol," was waiting for a flight to Macau.
What happened next was caught on grainy CCTV footage and honestly looks like a prank gone wrong. Two women—one Indonesian, one Vietnamese—approached him. One of them wiped a substance on his face. Within 20 minutes, he was dead. It wasn't just any poison; it was VX nerve agent, a substance so toxic the UN classifies it as a weapon of mass destruction.
"He was sweating, in pain and unresponsive... he died about 15 to 20 minutes after the attack while being transferred to the hospital." — Evidence from the 2017 Malaysian investigation.
The women later claimed they thought they were taking part in a reality TV hidden-camera show. Basically, they were told to rub "baby oil" on a stranger’s face for a YouTube gag. Instead, they were the unwitting executioners in what Western intelligence agencies believe was a state-sponsored assassination ordered by Pyongyang.
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Why was he a threat?
Kim Jong Nam was the eldest son. In traditional Korean culture, that usually makes you the heir. But he fell out of favor early. The big turning point was in 2001 when he was caught trying to sneak into Japan using a fake Dominican Republic passport. His reason? He wanted to see Tokyo Disneyland.
The embarrassment was too much for his father, Kim Jong Il. After that, Jong Nam lived a life of nomadic luxury in Macau and Beijing, protected by Chinese security. He started speaking out, too. He told Japanese journalists that he opposed "hereditary succession." In the world of North Korean politics, that’s basically a death warrant.
Kim Jong Chol: The Brother Who Just Wants to Shred
Then there’s the other brother of Kim Jong Un, the middle child: Kim Jong Chol. While his younger brother runs the country and his older brother was hunted down, Jong Chol is... well, he's at a concert.
Specifically, an Eric Clapton concert.
If you want to find Kim Jong Chol, your best bet isn't a military parade. It’s the front row of the Royal Albert Hall in London. He’s been spotted there multiple times, wearing a leather jacket and sunglasses, looking more like a roadie than a member of a ruling dynasty.
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Passed over for being "girlish"
Kenji Fujimoto, who was Kim Jong Il’s personal sushi chef for years, wrote in his memoirs that the elder Kim never considered Jong Chol a serious successor. He reportedly said the boy was "no good because he is like a little girl."
Thae Yong-ho, the former North Korean deputy ambassador to the UK who defected in 2016, actually accompanied Jong Chol during his 2015 trip to London. Thae described him as someone who doesn't care about politics at all. He’s obsessed with guitars and music. While the world worries about nuclear silos, Jong Chol is reportedly back in Pyongyang playing in a band.
There were rumors in 2013 that he helped lead the arrest of their uncle, Jang Song-thaek, but most experts think he’s largely a sidelined figure. He’s the "safe" brother—the one who isn't a threat because he has no ambition for the throne.
Living in the Shadow of the "Respected Comrade"
It’s easy to forget that these aren't just names in a news report. They grew up together in Switzerland under fake names. Kim Jong Un and Kim Jong Chol attended the International School of Berne. They played basketball together. They shared a childhood of immense privilege and extreme secrecy.
But North Korean politics is a zero-sum game. The existence of a brother of Kim Jong Un is a complication for the state's narrative. The regime promotes the "Paektu" bloodline, but only one person can be at the top.
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- Kim Jong Nam represented a potential alternative leader that China could have installed if the regime ever collapsed.
- Kim Jong Chol represents the private, human side of the family that doesn't fit the "Great Leader" mold.
- Kim Yo Jong, their sister, has become the public face of the family's power, acting as her brother's "alter ego" and enforcer.
What This Means for the Future of North Korea
The fate of Kim Jong Un’s brothers tells us a lot about how he maintains control. It’s not just about military strength; it’s about removing any sliver of competition, even if it carries the same DNA.
The assassination of Jong Nam sent a message to every North Korean elite: no one is untouchable. If the "Sun of the Nation" will take out his own flesh and blood at a public airport, he won't hesitate to take out a general or a minister.
Meanwhile, Jong Chol’s quiet life shows that there is a way to survive in the family—you just have to be completely irrelevant.
Actionable Insights for Following the Story
If you’re trying to keep up with the shifting power dynamics in Pyongyang, don't just look at the missile tests. Watch the family.
- Monitor the "Mount Paektu" narrative: Watch for how North Korean state media handles the birthdays of past leaders. If Jong Chol ever appears in an official photo, it’s a massive signal of a policy shift.
- Follow the money: Kim Jong Nam's son, Kim Han Sol, is currently in hiding, reportedly protected by a group called Free Joseon. His safety is a major indicator of how much the regime still fears the "rightful" heirs.
- Watch Kim Yo Jong: She is currently the most important sibling. Her rise or fall in the coming years will tell us if Kim Jong Un is looking for a successor or just a loyal deputy.
Understanding the brother of Kim Jong Un helps humanize a regime that usually feels like a caricature. It’s a story of a family that had everything, yet ended up broken by the weight of the crown. Whether it’s a tragic end in Malaysia or a quiet life with a Fender Stratocaster in Pyongyang, the Kim brothers are the ultimate examples of what happens when your family business is a nuclear dictatorship.
To stay updated on the latest developments regarding North Korean leadership, you should regularly check the reports from organizations like the North Korea Strategy Information Service Center or the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea. These groups track the movement of "core elites" and provide the best context for what’s actually happening inside the Hermit Kingdom.