김정일 was the leader of North Korea from 1994 until his death in 2011. He was the son of Kim Il-sung, the country's founding leader, and he held the title of Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea. Under his rule, North Korea maintained a strict authoritarian regime and focused on military development. During his leadership, 김정일 pursued a policy of Songun, or military-first, prioritizing the military over other sectors. His government faced significant economic challenges, including food shortages and international isolation. After his death, his son, Kim Jong-un, succeeded him as the leader of North Korea.