04/06/2026
Kim Jong Un, at just 27, was handed the rank of four-star general without a single day of military service. While career soldiers dedicate decades to earn such a title, Kim's military journey was non-existent. His father, Kim Jong Il, orchestrated this promotion to solidify his son's future as North Korea's leader. The same day, Kim was also named Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, cementing his path to power. The uniform and rank were real, but the military career behind them was not. This move was a strategic play in the high-stakes game of political succession, where legitimacy was crafted, not earned.