# Kim Jong-suk

> First wife of North Korean President Kim Il Sung (1917–1949)

**Wikidata**: [Q463949](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q463949)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Jong-suk)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kim-jong-suk

## Summary
Kim Jong-suk was the first wife of North Korean President Kim Il Sung, serving in this role from 1917 until her death in 1949. As a key figure in the early history of the Kim dynasty, she played a foundational role in the family's political legacy. Her marriage to Kim Il Sung solidified her position within the ruling structure of North Korea.

## Biography
- **Born:** December 24, 1917
- **Nationality:** North Korean
- **Known for:** Being the first wife of Kim Il Sung and a foundational figure in the Kim dynasty
- **Employer(s)/Affiliations:** Associated with the Workers' Party of Korea through her marriage
- **Field(s):** Politics (by association with Kim Il Sung)

## Contributions
Kim Jong-suk's primary contribution lies in her role as the spouse of Kim Il Sung, the founder of North Korea. Her marriage to him in 1917 and their subsequent family life laid the groundwork for the dynastic rule of the Kim family. She is also recognized for her symbolic role in the early years of the North Korean state, contributing to the cult of personality surrounding the Kim family.

## FAQs
**What is Kim Jong-suk's significance in North Korean history?**  
Kim Jong-suk is significant as the first wife of Kim Il Sung, the founder of North Korea. Her role in the Kim family's early life and legacy underscores her importance in the dynasty's establishment.

**When and how did Kim Jong-suk die?**  
Kim Jong-suk died on September 22, 1949. The circumstances of her death are not detailed in the provided source material.

**What titles or recognitions did Kim Jong-suk receive?**  
She was posthumously honored with the title "Hero of the Republic," a North Korean honor awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the state.

## Why They Matter
Kim Jong-suk's enduring impact stems from her position as the matriarch of the Kim dynasty, which has ruled North Korea since its inception. Her marriage to Kim Il Sung and her role in raising their children, including Kim Jong-il, ensured the continuation of familial leadership. Without her, the dynastic structure of North Korea's governance might have developed differently, potentially altering the country's political trajectory.

## Notable For
- **Foundational Figure in the Kim Dynasty:** As the first wife of Kim Il Sung, she played a crucial role in establishing the family's political legacy.
- **Recipient of the "Hero of the Republic" Title:** Posthumously honored for her contributions to the state.
- **Namesake of Kimjongsuk County:** A county in North Korea is named in her honor, reflecting her significance in the country's history.

## Body
### Early Life and Marriage
Kim Jong-suk was born on December 24, 1917. She married Kim Il Sung in 1917, a union that would become central to the political narrative of North Korea. This marriage not only established her role within the Kim family but also symbolized the beginnings of the dynastic rule that would define the country.

### Role in the Kim Dynasty
As the wife of Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong-suk was integral to the family's early life and the cultivation of the Kim dynasty's image. Her association with the Workers' Party of Korea, through her husband, positioned her as a key figure in the party's foundational years. The birth of her son, Kim Jong-il, further solidified the family's political lineage.

### Legacy and Honors
Following her death on September 22, 1949, Kim Jong-suk was posthumously awarded the title "Hero of the Republic," recognizing her contributions to the state. A county in North Korea, Kimjongsuk County, is named in her honor, commemorating her role in the nation's history. Her legacy is deeply intertwined with the cult of personality surrounding the Kim family, which remains a defining feature of North Korean political culture.

### Historical Context
Kim Jong-suk's life and death occurred during the formative period of North Korea, preceding the country's official establishment in 1948. Her role as a partisan during the Japanese colonial era and her support for Kim Il Sung's revolutionary activities underscore her active participation in the events leading to the creation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

### Symbolic Importance
Beyond her familial ties, Kim Jong-suk serves as a symbolic figure in North Korean historiography, representing the ideals of the revolution and the self-reliance ethos of Juche. Her commemoration in monuments and national narratives reinforces her enduring significance in the state's ideological framework.

## References

1. [Source](https://sinonk.com/2015/04/09/the-crossings-and-encounters-of-kim-jong-suk-and-did-those-feet-in-ancient-times/)
2. Historical Dictionary of Pyongyang
3. Military and Civil Awards of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)
4. general catalog of BnF
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013