When Kim Jong-il died in December of 2011, Kim Jong-un was publically declared Supreme Leader only a few days later, despite theories that other high-ranking officials would act as regents before power was handed over. In 2012, he was elevated to the rank of marshal – the highest rank in the North Korean military. Theoretically, Kim Jong-un only holds one-third of the power typically held by a nation's president, as the Premier and Parliament President in North Korea also hold sway. In practice, however, Kim Jong-un has ultimate power over the nation.
