Rare Childhood Photo of Kim Jong-un Revealed

A childhood photograph of Kim Jong-un, the Supreme Leader of North Korea, holding a trophy at the age of 13 has been unveiled for the first time. The image was shared by Jeong Seong-jang, the deputy director of the Sejong Institute, on July 30, 2025, as part of the Japanese edition of his book, 'The Kim Jong-un We Don't Know: His Politics and Strategy.' In the photo, a young Kim, dressed in a basketball uniform, gazes directly at the camera while proudly displaying a championship trophy. This picture was reportedly taken in January 1997 during a brief return to Pyongyang from Switzerland, where he was studying, to participate in a basketball game with his older brother, Kim Jong-chul, among others.

Jeong acquired this photograph in 2021 through Kim Jong-un's uncle, Ri Gang, who is married to Kim's aunt, Ko Yong-hui. The couple had been caring for Kim during his studies in Switzerland before defecting to the United States in 1998.

In discussing the photo, Jeong also provided insights into Kim's early interest in basketball. According to Ri, Kim began playing basketball as a child due to his shorter stature compared to his taller brother, Kim Jong-chul. Their mother, Ko Yong-hui, encouraged Kim to take up the sport. As he engaged in basketball, Kim developed a knack for shooting and became quite passionate about the game, reportedly growing taller as he played. Ri reminisced, saying, 'During vacations, Kim would play basketball from morning until evening. I also played basketball at Kim Chaek University of Technology, but keeping up with him all day was exhausting.'

Ri emphasized the importance of fairness in sports, stating that he instilled in Kim the values of sportsmanship, which he believes have influenced Kim's character. He recounted an instance where, after a tied game, Kim suggested, 'Let’s say we lost,' demonstrating his ability to accept defeat gracefully. Ri also noted that Kim's weight gain may be attributed to his reduced basketball activity and possibly family tendencies towards overindulgence.

Kim Jong-un is also known for his admiration of the NBA. Shortly after taking power in February 2013, he invited former Chicago Bulls star Dennis Rodman and several other players to North Korea, where they met and played exhibition games with local teams.