The Day of the Sun, April 15, marks a national holiday in North Korea that honors the nation’s founding father, Kim Il‑Sung. When the nation’s current “Supreme Leader” Kim Jong‑Un mysteriously missed the public festivities, the rumor mill went into overdrive. The top 10 kim stories below capture the most outlandish, unverified, and downright bizarre claims that have circulated about him – all while the country’s media remains tightly controlled.
Why the Top 10 Kim Rumors Matter
In a place where independent journalism is virtually non‑existent, rumors become the primary way outsiders try to piece together a portrait of the leader. Whether they are rooted in fact, exaggeration, or pure fantasy, each tale reveals something about how the world perceives the enigmatic ruler.
10 His Haircut Is Mandatory
Back in 2014, Radio Free Asia reported that male university students in North Korea were allegedly ordered to adopt Kim’s signature hairstyle – a military‑inspired cut with shaved sides, a longer top, and a central parting. The style, while distinctive, is far from runway‑ready, and the claim sparked a flurry of speculation about state‑mandated grooming.
Reactions were mixed: some observers dismissed it as a “Chinese smuggler haircut,” while others wondered whether the decree ever truly existed, noting that foreign visitors hadn’t seen a mass shift in hair trends. North Korean television has previously warned against “non‑socialist” hairstyles, and recent reports suggest the regime now limits men to ten approved cuts and women to eighteen, cracking down on any “unapproved” looks.
9 The CIA Hired A North Korean Lumberjack To Kill Kim
In May 2014, North Korean state media claimed that the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency, together with South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, recruited a Russian‑based North Korean lumberjack for a covert biochemical assassination plot against Kim. Allegedly, the weapon was a radioactive, nano‑poisonous substance that would take months to take effect.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published an 1,800‑word exposé naming a mysterious “Kim” working in Khabarovsk, Russia, as the alleged operative. No external evidence ever verified the story, and it surfaced amid heightened tensions between the three nations. The North Korean government vowed to seek extradition of any conspirators, though the claim remains uncorroborated.
8 The Kippumjo or ‘Pleasure Squad’
According to multiple reports, a clandestine unit known as the Kippumjo – roughly translated as the “Pleasure Squad” – allegedly comprises around 2,000 women tasked with providing entertainment, often of a sexual nature, to senior Workers’ Party officials and distinguished guests. The group has been described as a “Joy Division” within the North Korean power structure.
Although some sources claim the squad was dissolved after Kim Jong‑Il’s death, a 2015 article suggested Kim Jong‑Un was actively recruiting fresh members as young as 13 or 14. Supposedly, the women serving on his private train are required to be virgins, and many are said to be “retired” in their twenties and subsequently married off to military officers.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Kim is married to former pop singer Ri Sol‑Ju, and rumors persist that the couple may have three children – a detail that remains unconfirmed by any reliable outlet.
7 NBA Obsession
Kim’s unlikely friendship with ex‑NBA star Dennis Rodman traces back to his school days in Switzerland, where he allegedly developed a deep fascination with basketball and Michael Jordan. A former classmate recalled Kim’s dorm room plastered with NBA memorabilia, and he reportedly showed off photos with Kobe Bryant and Toni Kukoč after a Paris‑bound exhibition game during his youth.
While it’s unclear which team Kim officially backs, he appears to admire both the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers. Rodman’s 2013 visit, accompanied by three Harlem Globetrotters, was reportedly at Kim’s invitation, and other basketball delegations have toured the country over the years.
In a 2019 anecdote, Kim allegedly asked U.S. President Donald Trump to grant him access to “famous basketball players” as part of nuclear negotiations. The basketball craze seems to run in the family – Kim Jong‑Il once tried to meet Michael Jordan, who politely declined.
6 He Blew Up A South Korean Warship
In 2010, before Kim officially succeeded his father, he is alleged to have orchestrated the sinking of the South Korean corvette ROKS Cheonan near the disputed maritime border. The vessel, carrying 104 crew members, suffered a catastrophic explosion that claimed the lives of 46 sailors, an incident many view as a bid to bolster Kim’s military credentials ahead of his rise.
International investigations concluded that a North Korean torpedo was responsible, though Pyongyang denied involvement and even offered assistance. South Korea responded with sanctions, while China and Russia dismissed the accusation. A later Russian inquiry suggested the warship might have triggered a mine, leaving the true cause still debated.
Even as the details remain murky, the Cheonan tragedy continues to be a flashpoint in inter‑Korean relations, underscoring the opaque nature of North Korean military actions.
5 The Compassionate Side?
Amid the usual “mad dictator” narrative, a more humane facet of Kim’s leadership surfaced in 2014 when a 23‑story apartment block in Pyongyang collapsed, reportedly killing over a hundred residents. State media admitted the construction was substandard and blamed “irresponsible” officials for the tragedy.
Kim reportedly issued a rare public apology, describing the disaster as “unimaginable” and claiming he stayed up all night, anguished by the news. Critics note that the state took five days to report the incident, and the exact death toll was never disclosed.
While the apology hints at a softer side, skeptics argue the delayed coverage and lack of transparent figures suggest a calculated move to mitigate domestic unrest rather than genuine remorse.
4 The Secret Hangover Cure
Like his father, Kim is rumored to enjoy a lavish nightlife, favoring premium spirits such as Johnny Walker whisky, Hennessy cognac, and even fine gin. Reports claim his indulgence has driven a surge in luxury wine and spirit imports since he assumed power.
According to insider accounts, Kim’s marathon drinking sessions prompted the import of Finnish and German sauna equipment to help him “sweat out” the aftereffects of his nocturnal revelries. Whether the saunas truly alleviate hangovers remains a point of debate among health experts.
Adding a scientific twist, North Korean researchers announced in 2016 the creation of a revolutionary, hangover‑free liquor dubbed “Koryo Liquor,” blending six‑year‑old ginseng with scorched rice to eliminate sugar and, allegedly, the dreaded morning‑after headache.
3 He’s Executed Members Of His Family
In December 2013, Kim’s uncle Jang Song‑Thaek was arrested on treason charges, tried before a military tribunal, and executed by firing squad. Allegedly, Kim ordered the erasure of Jang from official records and oversaw the execution of several of Jang’s close relatives, including children and grandchildren.
Despite attempts to scrub Jang from history, a later documentary accidentally featured his photograph, leading to speculation that the media editor responsible was subsequently imprisoned for the oversight.
Kim’s half‑brother, Kim Jong‑Nam, met a similarly grim fate in 2017. Malaysian authorities say he was assassinated at Kuala Lumpur International Airport after two women smeared his face with a mysterious chemical agent. Witnesses reported he was grabbed from behind, and he later died en route to the hospital.
2 The Luxury Private Island
Dennis Rodman, the flamboyant former NBA star, once described Kim’s private island as a “seven‑star party” that feels like a blend of Hawaii and Ibiza, except Kim is the sole resident. The island, rumored to sit near the port of Wonson, reportedly boasts its own marina, fortified bays, and a 24‑hour armed security detail.
Rodman added that the island’s amenities include endless cocktails, jet skis, and a 95‑foot yacht that Kim uses to travel there – a vessel he likened to a cross between a ferry and a Disney cruise ship. The exact location remains unverified, adding to its mystique.
1 The Flame‑Thrower Execution
In a tale that sounds ripped from a Hollywood script, Kim allegedly ordered the execution of Deputy Security Minister O Sang‑Hon by flamethrower in 2014, following a political purge aimed at eliminating supporters of his uncle Jang Song‑Thaek.
Defector Kang Chol‑Hwan recounted that Kim personally despised O and commanded his demise with the incendiary weapon, while other reports claim O’s corpse was also crushed beneath a tank – a chilling double‑whammy of brutality.
After the gruesome incident, the story resurfaced in various media outlets, often alongside sensational lists of North Korean escape routes and survival tips, underscoring the enduring fascination with the regime’s darkest rumors.