Started Smoking in Mid-Teens
Daughter Juae Holds Matchbox and Accompanies
An ashtray placed next to Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, who visited an elementary school, has drawn attention to his 'love of smoking.' North Korea has been encouraging smoking cessation by strengthening smoking control in public places since 2020, but Chairman Kim is an exception. Several instances have been revealed where Kim was seen smoking even beside children, including his daughter Ju-ae.
Kim is known to be a heavy smoker. Kenji Fujimoto, a Japanese chef who served Kim Jong Il, Kim's father, revealed in his book "Why Kim Jong Un is North Korea's Successor" that Kim Jong Un started drinking and smoking in his mid-teens and even asked Fujimoto for cigarettes. In the past, Kim mainly preferred imported cigarettes, but now he is often seen smoking North Korean-made cigarettes. He used to keep North Korean brands '7·27' and 'Geonseol' nearby, but since 2020, he has favored the 'Sonamu' cigarette brand.
North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un held a celebratory banquet to mark Navy Day (August 28), Chosun Central TV reported on August 29 last year. Chairman Kim is seen smoking a cigarette at the banquet attended by his daughter Ju Ae and wife Ri Sol Ju. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Kim's smoking has been captured multiple times even in front of children. In spaces where children live, such as schools and kindergartens, Kim is often seen holding a cigarette. Since children's respiratory systems are not fully developed during growth, secondhand smoke is more harmful to them than to adults.
On the 17th, an ashtray appeared again during a visit to an elementary school. Kim visited the Pyongyang 4·25 Guesthouse, where temporary classrooms were set up for elementary students affected by flooding from the Amnok River. In the released photos, on the table next to him at the back of the classroom where he was observing the class, cigarettes, an ashtray, and matches were placed.
His young daughter Ju-ae, who is only in her early teens, is no exception. In April, a scene was released showing Ju-ae walking side by side with Kim, holding a matchbox in her hand during his on-site guidance at the National Space Development Agency. While Kim held a cigarette between his fingers and talked with officials, Ju-ae stood beside him holding the matchbox with both hands. In August last year, at a Navy Day celebration banquet, Kim was seen holding a cigarette and talking at a table where his daughter Ju-ae and wife Ri Sol Ju were seated together.
North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un visited the Pyongyang 4.25 Guesthouse on the 16th and assessed the preparations for education for students in the flood-affected areas, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 17th. 2024.8.17 [For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution] [Image Source=Yonhap News]
His wife Ri Sol Ju is also known to have urged him to quit smoking several times. In March 2018, during the inter-Korean summit, when Chung Eui-yong, Director of the National Security Office of the Blue House, visited North Korea and met Kim, he advised Kim to quit smoking. Ri Sol Ju, who was present at the meeting, reportedly agreed and said, "I always ask him to quit smoking, but he does not listen."
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