Kim Il-Sung /ˌkɪm ɪl ˈsʊŋ/ (1912–94) a North Korean political leader. As prime minister, he led North Korea during the Korean War(1950–53). He later became president, and led the country until his death. He was known for his strict Communist ideas and for his isolationism (=belief that a country should not be involved with others in any way).