Although more than six years have passed since Kim Jong Un became North Korea's leader following the death of his father in 2011, much about his life remains a mystery, including even his age.
According to some reports, Kim was born on Jan. 8, 1983, the youngest of Kim Jong Il's three sons, while the U.S. and South Korean governments believe he was born on that day in 1984, which would make him 34 years old.
His mother was Ko Yong Hui, a Korean-Japanese born in Osaka. A dancer, she is believed to have died in 2004. Kim's elder brother Kim Jong Chol and younger sister Kim Yo Jong were born to the same mother.
Kim is said to have attended an international school in Switzerland and studied at Kim Il Sung Military University, an educational institution in Pyongyang named after his grandfather, North Korea's founder.
He was groomed to take over the country's leadership after his father suffered an apparent stroke in 2008.
The young leader is known to be an avid basketball fan, famously striking up a friendship with eccentric American former pro Dennis Rodman who has visited him in Pyongyang multiple times.
(Photo courtesy of Korea Media)
With his wife, Ri Sol Ju, a former singer and cheerleader, Kim has reportedly fathered three children, including a daughter who was held by Rodman in 2013 when she was a baby.
Kim demonstrated a ruthless side when he ordered both the execution of his once-powerful uncle Jang Song Thaek for treason in 2013 and allegedly the assassination of his elder half-brother Kim Jong Nam, who died in 2017 after being poisoned with VX nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia.
In 2014, Kim was absent from public view for around 40 days, sparking speculation among North Korea watchers that he was suffering health problems.
Recently, he has been seen at public events, smiling as he engages in diplomatic efforts that have resulted in a thawing of regional tensions, most notably leading to a historic visit to Beijing to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in late March, his first excursion across his country's borders since coming to power.
Read more on inter-Korean summit:
Koreas confirm goals of "complete" denuclearization, ending war
Kim Jong Un voices hope for start of new chapter of Korea's history
Moon, Kim shake hands, raising hope for formal end of Korean War
Kim becomes 1st North Korean leader to cross inter-Korean border
South Korea's Moon no stranger to inter-Korean diplomacy
Inter-Korea summit media center booming, some feel let down
