2009 imprisonment and pardoning of American journalists
Main article: 2009 imprisonment of American journalists by North Korea
In March 2009, the North Korean military detained two American journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who were working for the U.S. independent cable television network Current TV, after they allegedly crossed into North Korea from the People's Republic of China without a visa. The two reporters were found guilty of illegal entry and subsequently sentenced to twelve years of hard labor.[87] Reporters Without Borders characterized the trial and sentencing as a "sham trial",[88] and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton initially stated that the charges against the journalists were "baseless".[89]
His birthday is one of the most important public holidays in the country. On his 60th birthday (based on his official date of birth), mass celebrations occurred throughout the country on the occasion of his Hwangap.[94]
Many North Koreans believe that he has the "magical" ability to "control the weather" based on his mood.
There is no official information available about Kim Jong-il's marital history, but he is believed to have been officially married once and to have had three mistresses.[99] He has five children.
Finances
According to the Sunday Telegraph, Kim has US$4 billion secreted in banks in Europe in case he ever needs to flee North Korea. The newspaper reported that most of the money was in banks in Luxembourg.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Jong_Il
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