Historical records show that Mao and the new PRC leadership had a clear priority: reunifying Taiwan with mainland China and not pursuing Kim Il-sung’s ambitions on the Korean Peninsula.

When the fire broke out, the mother was reportedly unable to save the portraits of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il Joelle Goldstein is a Senior News Editor on the TV team for PEOPLE Digital.

Both his birthday and that of late national founder Kim Il-sung, on April 15, are observed as national holidays in North Korea. The exhibition displayed photos and videos of not only Kim Jong-il ...