In 2014, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un mysteriously disappeared from public view for over a month. The official explanation was that he was “indisposed,” but reports later suggested he had fractured both ankles due to excessive weight gain. Allegedly, his rapid weight increase—over 60 pounds in just a few months—was caused by overindulgence in chocolate and cheese.
Despite the absurdity of this story, Kim remains the ruler of a brutal dictatorship known for severe human rights abuses. While he enjoys luxurious meals, millions of North Koreans suffer from extreme poverty and starvation. His personal fortune and power are largely sustained by a clandestine financial network known as Office 39, a state-run criminal enterprise that continues to thrive despite international sanctions. This secretive organization has been linked to counterfeiting, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and arms smuggling—essentially operating as North Korea’s illicit revenue generator.
How Kim Jong-Un Inherited His Rule
Historically, Korea was under Chinese influence for centuries until a conflict between Japan and Russia in 1904 led to Japan annexing Korea in 1910. During Japan’s occupation, Korean culture was suppressed, and countless Koreans were subjected to forced labor and exploitation, including the enslavement of over 200,000 women as “comfort women” for Japanese soldiers.
Following World War II, Korea was divided, with the Soviet Union controlling the north and the U.S. overseeing the south. In 1945, the Soviets placed Kim Il-Sung in charge of North Korea. He implemented strict communist policies and established himself as the nation’s Supreme Leader. His rule passed to his son, Kim Jong-Il, in 1994, and then to Kim Jong-Un in 2011, marking three generations of dynastic dictatorship.
Office 39: The Source of Kim’s Wealth
Defectors and intelligence reports reveal that Office 39—established in the 1970s under Kim Jong-Il—is a multi-billion-dollar operation dedicated to securing wealth for the ruling family. The organization has been implicated in:
- Counterfeiting U.S. currency
- Producing and distributing narcotics (notably methamphetamine)
- Running fraudulent insurance scams
- Smuggling gold and arms
- Cybercrimes, including cryptocurrency theft
Operating under the Daesong Group, Office 39 reportedly extracts around 10 tons of gold from North Korean mines annually, selling it abroad through secret transactions. U.S. investigators have traced billions of dollars funneled through over 250 shell companies worldwide, particularly in China, Russia, and Southeast Asia.
Cryptocurrency Heists and Digital Crime
As international sanctions increased, North Korea turned to cybercrime. In 2016, hackers linked to Office 39 attempted to steal nearly $1 billion from Bangladesh’s central bank. Over the years, North Korean cyber operatives have looted over $500 million from cryptocurrency exchanges in South Korea and Japan. These funds help sustain Kim’s nuclear ambitions and extravagant lifestyle.
Kim’s Lavish Lifestyle Amid Widespread Poverty
Unlike his impoverished citizens, Kim Jong-Un enjoys unparalleled luxury. His assets include:
- Dozens of palatial residences, ski resorts, and golf courses
- A private island and luxury beach resorts
- A collection of yachts, racehorses, and high-end watches
- Billions in offshore bank accounts, primarily in Switzerland, Austria, and China
Between 2012 and 2017, North Korea spent over $4 billion on luxury imports. In 2012 alone, 20% of North Korea’s total imports were luxury goods, while most citizens relied on meager rations of corn porridge. The contrast between the ruling elite and the starving population is stark—North Koreans, on average, are now three inches shorter than their South Korean counterparts due to malnutrition.
A Criminal Empire Masquerading as a Country
Many analysts describe North Korea not as a traditional nation, but as a state-controlled criminal enterprise—one that operates like a mafia organization with nuclear weapons. While its elite enjoy untold wealth, its 25 million citizens endure relentless oppression and hardship.
In 2020, the U.S. pursued 33 North Korean bankers for laundering billions in illicit funds. However, despite increasing international pressure, Office 39 has evolved, expanding into digital crimes such as ransomware attacks and fraudulent medical supply sales during the pandemic.
While Kim Jong-Un’s slush fund remains intact, his people continue to suffer under one of the world’s most repressive regimes—starved, controlled, and trapped under a dictatorship that thrives on secrecy, corruption, and criminal enterprises.
