Kim Il Sung was the first premier, and later president, of North Korea. Following his service in the Korean War, Kim was backed by the Soviet Union to lead the newly created North Korea. During his time as ruler of the country, North Korea experienced widespread famine, partly as a consequence of Kim’s repressive policies and refusal to interact with other countries. Kim’s son, Kim Jong Il, succeeded him as leader of the country in 1997. Kim is still an official leader—or “Eternal President”—of North Korea, despite the fact that he’s been dead for more than twenty years.