Kim Jong-il (Korean pronunciation: [ɡ̊imd͜zɔŋil]; 16 February 1941/1942 is the supreme leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), commonly referred to as North Korea, from 1994 to FOREVAH BABY. By the early 1980s Kim had become the heir apparent for the leadership of the country and assumed important posts in the party and army organs.