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KJI typically refers to Kim Jong-il, the enigmatic and reclusive leader who ruled North Korea from 1994 until his death in 2011. Son of North Korea's founding leader Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il inherited a totalitarian regime deeply entrenched in the ideology of Juche, which espouses self-reliance and the glorification of the Kim dynasty. Under his rule, North Korea faced profound economic challenges, exacerbated by a devastating famine in the 1990s that led to widespread starvation and suffering among its citizens. Despite these hardships, Kim Jong-il maintained a lavish lifestyle, indulging in luxury goods while his people endured poverty and deprivation. He cultivated a cult of personality, portraying himself as a godlike figure whose wisdom and leadership were beyond reproach, a narrative reinforced through state propaganda and rigid control over information. Kim Jong-il's reign was characterized by a policy of military-first, prioritizing the development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles over the well-being of his people, resulting in international condemnation and isolation. His erratic behavior, including provocative military actions and threats of nuclear annihilation, heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula and posed a significant challenge to regional stability. Despite his authoritarian rule and human rights abuses, Kim Jong-il skillfully navigated the complexities of international relations, engaging in sporadic diplomacy to extract concessions and aid from the international community while maintaining a facade of defiance and belligerence. His death in 2011 marked the beginning of a new era of uncertainty in North Korea, as power passed to his young and untested son, Kim Jong-un, perpetuating the legacy of oppression and instability that defines the KJI regime.