How Kim Jong-un Consolidated Power Through Fear

Since assuming power in late 2011 after the death of his father, Kim Jong-un has methodically eliminated rivals, restructured institutions, and established total control over the North Korean regime — not through consensus or charisma, but through fear.

While early observers predicted Kim might be a transitional figure or even a reformer, his reign has instead been defined by brutal purges, tight ideological control, and a climate of paranoia among the political and military elite. In just over a decade, he has consolidated power to a degree unmatched even by his predecessors.

“Fear is the foundation of Kim’s rule,” said Dr. Cho Jae-hyun, a senior fellow at the Institute for North Korea Strategy in Seoul. “He has cultivated a political environment where no one is safe — and that’s exactly how he stays in control.”

Swift and Ruthless Purges

Kim's consolidation began swiftly. In 2013, just two years into his rule, he ordered the public arrest and execution of his powerful uncle Jang Song-thaek, once regarded as North Korea’s second-most powerful figure. Jang’s death sent shockwaves through the elite, signaling that not even family ties could guarantee protection.

Since then, dozens of officials have been purged, demoted, disappeared, or executed — often without explanation. Among them: generals, cabinet ministers, and diplomats, many of whom had served loyally under Kim Jong-il.

One of the most high-profile cases was the assassination of Kim Jong-nam, Kim Jong-un’s estranged half-brother, in Malaysia in 2017. Carried out in broad daylight with VX nerve agent, the killing was widely interpreted as a chilling warning to other potential challengers within the family and the elite.

Institutional Restructuring

Kim has also reorganized key institutions to ensure no rival power centers could develop. The once-powerful military — the core pillar of Kim Jong-il’s “Songun” (military-first) policy — has been systematically brought under the party’s control. Senior generals have been rotated frequently to prevent entrenchment.

Meanwhile, the Organization and Guidance Department (OGD) of the Workers' Party has regained dominance over personnel decisions, tightening the grip of ideology and loyalty vetting across all levels of government.

“By controlling appointments and purges through the OGD, Kim created a system where survival depends entirely on perceived loyalty to him — not performance, competence, or even party ideology,” said Jung Hoon-sung, a former South Korean intelligence officer.

Control Over Narrative and Information

Kim’s control also extends to propaganda and information. State media has been completely refocused to portray him as the embodiment of the state. His image is carefully choreographed — from factory visits to missile launches — to project confidence, invincibility, and paternal leadership.

At the same time, crackdowns on foreign media, digital smuggling, and unauthorized cell phones have intensified. Citizens caught consuming or distributing South Korean dramas or foreign content face prison — or worse.

“Information is power, and Kim knows it,” said Park Ji-won, a defector now working with the Transitional Justice Working Group. “By cutting off alternative narratives, he eliminates the seeds of dissent.”

Climate of Fear

Inside the elite, fear is pervasive. High-ranking officials reportedly live with constant anxiety, aware that one misstep — even an ambiguous facial expression during a speech — could lead to interrogation or execution.

“North Korea is not governed by law, but by signals,” said Dr. Rachel Min of the Asia Policy Institute. “You’re not told what’s allowed — you’re expected to instinctively demonstrate loyalty at all times. That’s the terror of the system.”

Despite this, Kim has maintained an image of stability and control, even as the country faces growing hardships from sanctions, food insecurity, and international isolation.

Observers say Kim's power is as absolute as it has ever been — but also increasingly reliant on repression and fear rather than ideological legitimacy or economic success.

“He has total control,” said Cho Jae-hyun. “But it's a control that is fragile — because it's built on silence, surveillance, and submission.”