Great Leader Who Left Deepest Impression
KIM Jong Il (1942-2011), chairman of the National Defence Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, enjoyed boundless praise and admiration from the peoples around the globe. In 2003 American magazine Time included him in Persons of the Year, describing him as a man who left the deepest impression on the international community.
Fidel Castro, outstanding leader of the Cuban revolution, called Kim Jong Il a leader endowed with extraordinary qualities and abilities and an ideal state leader admired by all politicians.
Party and state leaders and public figures of different social standings of many countries across the world lavished praise on his unusual personality traits as a great man and his high prestige, calling him a “resolute leader,” “man well-informed of regional and international issues,” “man of unceremonious and unassuming character” and the “most excellent leader they have ever met.”
The following story will suffice to explain the global interest in and attitude towards him.
In 2001 he visited the Russian Federation. The focus of the world political circles and media was put on his visit, particularly on the events organized by Russia to welcome him.
The Korean leader was accorded warm hospitality of President Putin and accompanied by the Presidential Envoy to the Far East Federal Region during the whole course of the visit. People from all walks of life also gave him warm welcome. Indeed, he received unprecedented welcome in Russia.
After visiting various places in Moscow Kim Jong Il expressed his intention to tour a street with many ring roads in the city. The Russian officials concerned were perplexed at his offer because it was almost impossible to block the roads due to heavy traffic.
However, something marvellous happened when his motorcade rolled into a ring road. As the warning siren came from the first car, vehicles on the road pulled over on the side to open the way for the procession.
At this sight the Russian officials said in unison that the high prestige of the Korean leader unfolded such an unusual scene.
“Many are surprised to see President Putin giving Kim Jong Il extraordinary treatment which stands no comparison with that for other state leaders. This is because Kim Jong Il has the authority appropriate to a world-famous leader who administers politics with matchless courage, while carrying forward the cause of President Kim Il Sung,” said a man from the Russian Academy of Sciences.
As he enjoyed such a high international prestige he, despite the fact that more than a decade has passed since his demise on December 17, 2011, still receives heartfelt admiration from the progressives around the world. 
