Kim Jong Un Height:
Kim Jong Un height is 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm). That is the most commonly cited figure for North Korea’s supreme leader, though Pyongyang has never published an official measurement. Estimates from analysts who compared him with officials, interpreters and foreign leaders in summit footage cluster between 5 ft 6 in and 5 ft 8 in, so the number is approximate.
Kim Jong Un Quick Facts
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kim Jong Un (also romanized Kim Jong-un) |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm), approximate |
| Weight | Roughly 130-140 kg (287-309 lb), outside estimates |
| Date of Birth | January 8, 1984 (commonly cited; the year is not officially confirmed) |
| Age | 42 |
| Birthplace | Pyongyang, North Korea (as generally reported) |
| Nationality | North Korean |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Profession | Supreme Leader of North Korea; General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea |
| Shoe Size | Not publicly confirmed; estimated around US 8-9 (EU 41-42) |
Early Life and Background
Kim Jong Un was born into North Korea’s ruling family. He is the son of Kim Jong Il, the country’s second leader, and grandson of founder Kim Il Sung. His mother is widely reported to be Ko Yong Hui, a former dancer, and he has an older brother, Kim Jong Chol, and a younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, who later became one of his most trusted aides.
His exact birth date has long been a puzzle, because the state has never published it. South Korean intelligence and most reference works give January 8, 1984, though some sources point to 1982 or 1983. The date is used here because it is the most widely repeated.
He was raised in seclusion, in compounds shielded from ordinary North Koreans. In the late 1990s he was sent to Switzerland to study near Bern, where he was enrolled under an alias and described by classmates as a quiet, basketball-obsessed teenager. He returned to North Korea around 2000 and later studied at Kim Il Sung Military University, graduating in the early 2000s with a focus on military affairs. Official biographies are heavily stylized and unverifiable, so details of this period come mostly from defectors, former classmates and intelligence assessments.
Career Journey and Timeline
Kim Jong Un’s career is a story of rapid, tightly controlled succession.
2009-2010: Emergence. Reports of Kim Jong Il’s declining health pushed the question of succession into view. In September 2010, at a rare party conference, the young Kim was named a four-star general and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission. His first public appearance followed shortly after.
December 2011: Succession. Kim Jong Il died on December 17, and state media quickly named Kim Jong Un “Supreme Leader.” He was in his late twenties and had almost no public record.
2012: Consolidation. He was named First Secretary of the Workers’ Party and received the rank of Marshal. In 2012 he also introduced his wife, Ri Sol Ju, to the public, a break from his father’s secrecy.
2013: Purge. His uncle Jang Song Thaek, once seen as a regent figure, was executed. The episode signaled that Kim intended to rule without rivals.
2016: Formal titles. At the Seventh Party Congress he took the title of Chairman of the Workers’ Party, and he later became head of the State Affairs Commission.
2017: Weapons escalation. North Korea tested long-range missiles, including intercontinental systems, and conducted its sixth nuclear test, sharply raising tensions with Washington.
2018-2019: Summit diplomacy. Kim met South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the DMZ in April 2018, then held a historic meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore that June. A second summit in Hanoi in 2019 ended without a deal, though Kim and Trump briefly met again at the DMZ.
2021: General Secretary. At the Eighth Party Congress, he took the title General Secretary.
2023-2025: Alignment with Russia and China. Kim traveled to Russia in 2023 to meet Vladimir Putin, and Putin visited Pyongyang in 2024, where the two signed a mutual defense agreement. In September 2025 Kim appeared in Beijing at a military parade alongside Xi Jinping and Putin, a public sign of his improved standing with both powers.
Physical Appearance in Detail
Beyond the Kim Jong Un height figure of roughly 5 ft 7 in, his most noticeable physical trait is his stocky, heavyset build. Outside estimates of his weight have generally ranged from about 130 to 140 kg, and South Korean officials have said his weight has increased over the years. That implies a body mass index well into the obese range, which has fueled ongoing speculation about his health, including concerns about heart disease, high blood pressure and heavy smoking.
He has dark brown eyes and black hair, which he wears in a distinctive style: sides and back shaved close to the scalp, with the top left longer and swept back. The cut is widely seen as an echo of the look of his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, and the resemblance is considered deliberate.
His signature style leans on that same heritage. He often wears a dark, high-collared Mao-style suit, the same type of jacket his father and grandfather favored, along with black leather shoes. On military occasions he appears in a long greatcoat or a Marshal’s uniform. Observers have also noted that he sometimes appears to wear shoes with a slightly raised heel, though this has not been confirmed. His round face and relatively fair complexion round out an image that is easy to recognize worldwide.
Kim Jong Un Height Comparison
Height is a frequent point of curiosity when Kim stands next to other leaders. At about 5 ft 7 in, he is slightly below the average height for men in South Korea and close to the global male average. Since official figures are rarely published, the comparison below uses commonly cited estimates.
| Figure | Role | Approx. Height |
|---|---|---|
| Kim Jong Un | North Korean leader | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Vladimir Putin | Russian President | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Moon Jae-in | Former South Korean President | 5 ft 8 in (172 cm) |
| Xi Jinping | Chinese President | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Donald Trump | U.S. President | 6 ft 3 in (190 cm) |
| Kim Jong Il | Father, former leader | 5 ft 3 in (160 cm) |
The comparison shows that Kim is roughly level with Putin, a little shorter than Moon and noticeably shorter than Xi and Trump. He is also considerably taller than his father, who was reportedly around 5 ft 3 in and known for wearing platform shoes.
How Height Shaped His Public Image
For a leader whose authority rests heavily on image, height and physical presence matter more than usual. State media carefully frames Kim Jong Un in photographs and film, often showing him walking ahead of officials who bend or jot notes as he speaks. Cameras are usually positioned to emphasize his stature and the deference of those around him.
Because he is a stout man of about average height, North Korea’s propaganda leans on his resemblance to Kim Il Sung, who was seen as a larger-than-life national founder. By copying his grandfather’s haircut, clothing and mannerisms, Kim borrows the older leader’s aura rather than relying on physical height. His weight, meanwhile, has become part of the story: state messaging has at times treated it as a sign of prosperity, while foreign observers treat it as a health risk.
Height also matters at diplomatic events. At the 2018 inter-Korean summit, the images of Kim and the slightly taller Moon Jae-in stepping across the border line were carefully choreographed to look equal. In Singapore, meeting a president who is about 7 inches taller, Kim was filmed in close handshakes and walks that emphasized parity. Analysts of North Korean imagery note how deliberately those frames were composed.
What He Has Said About His Height
Kim Jong Un has never publicly addressed his height in any known interview, speech or statement. North Korea does not offer the kind of press access in which such a question would be asked, and the state does not publish personal measurements for its leader. There are no verified quotes on the subject.
What exists instead is outside commentary. Foreign journalists and analysts have estimated his height by comparing him with fixed objects and with people of known stature during summits. Former NBA player Dennis Rodman, who is about 6 ft 7 in and met Kim in Pyongyang in 2013, became one of the most visible people photographed beside him, and those images are often used for scale. Even so, any figure based on photographs is an estimate, which is why 5 ft 7 in should be treated as approximate.
Personal Life
Kim Jong Un is married to Ri Sol Ju, a former singer who was introduced to the public in 2012, although reports suggest the couple married a few years earlier. They are believed to have three children. Only one, a daughter named Kim Ju Ae, has been shown publicly, first appearing at a missile launch in November 2022 and since attending major military events with him. Her prominence has prompted extensive debate over whether she is being groomed as a future successor.
His younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, remains a senior political figure and frequent spokesperson. Kim’s private life is closely guarded, though he is known to enjoy basketball, skiing and horseback riding, and he has been photographed riding a white horse at Mount Paektu. His health and weight are subjects of persistent outside speculation, but North Korea has not acknowledged any health problems.
Kim Jong Un Height: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kim Jong Un tall for a man?
Not especially. At about 5 ft 7 in (170 cm), he is close to the global average for men and a bit shorter than the average South Korean man.
What is Kim Jong Un’s exact height in cm?
The most commonly cited figure is 170 cm. There is no official measurement, so estimates range from about 168 to 173 cm.
How does Kim Jong Un’s height compare to Vladimir Putin’s?
They are about the same. Both are usually listed at around 5 ft 7 in (170 cm), though both figures are approximate.
Has Kim Jong Un talked about his height publicly?
No. There are no verified interviews or statements in which he comments on his height.
What is Kim Jong Un’s shoe size?
It has never been confirmed. Based on his height and build, estimates fall around US 8-9 (EU 41-42), but that is an educated guess.
Is Kim Jong Un taller than Moon Jae-in?
No. Moon Jae-in is usually listed at about 5 ft 8 in (172 cm), slightly taller than Kim.
Is Kim Jong Un taller than Kim Jong Il was?
Yes. His father was reportedly around 5 ft 3 in (160 cm) and was known for wearing elevated shoes.
Does Kim Jong Un’s height affect how he is portrayed?
Indirectly. State media uses camera angles, clothing and his resemblance to Kim Il Sung to project an imposing image, rather than relying on his actual height.
What is Kim Jong Un known for besides his height?
He is known as the supreme leader of North Korea since 2011, the country’s nuclear and missile program, and his meetings with leaders including Donald Trump, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.
