Kim Il-sung quickly built a military career

Kim climbed swiftly through the ranks to become the guerilla army's commander in 1934. He was appointed to the United Army, which was commanded by the Chinese Communist Party, a year later. Soon after that, he was given the opportunity to lead the 160-man 2nd division. He assumed command of the troops known as "the division of Kim Il-sung" in 1936. During the 1937 Battle of Pochonbo, his military officer training, experience, and abilities helped him prevail.

All facets of North Korean life are heavily influenced by political leaders, thus any change in the top leadership, even if it is a father-to-son transition, is significant from a political standpoint. Since Kim Jong Il has been in charge for for ten years, it is possible to pinpoint some of his distinctive governing traits. The involvement of the military in politics is one notable example. Kim Jong Il established "military-first" policies and replaced the party with the military to rule the nation. There are many indications that the military is on the rise, and its influence can be seen in many facets of political and social life. The characteristics, roots, supporters, and motivations of Kim Jong Il's "military-first" politics are examined in this article.