Kim Jong-un

Small formatting errors-missing hyphens, wrong capitalization, odd spacing-make names look careless and can confuse readers. Use the simple rules and examples below to correct hyphenation, spacing, capitalization, and possessives quickly.

If you need to fix a sentence, try the checklist or the rewrite templates first; the examples show the exact edits to make.

One-sentence rule

Write the name as Kim Jong-un: family name first (Kim), one space, then the given name Jong-un with a hyphen and capitals on K and J. Add titles before the full name: President Kim Jong-un. For possessives add 's after the full name: Kim Jong-un's policy.

Core explanation: why the hyphen and capitals matter

Korean names in English usually place the family name first and capitalize each element. Hyphenating two-syllable given names (Jong-un) shows the parts belong to one name and clarifies pronunciation.

Dropping the hyphen or changing capitalization can make the name look like a username, a typo, or a different person.

Correct: Kim Jong-un
Wrong: Kim Jong Un • Kim Jongun • kim jong-un • jong_un

Wrong: Kim Jong Un announced a new policy.
Right: Kim Jong-un announced a new policy.

Hyphenation and spacing: quick fixes

Use a single space between family and given name and a hyphen inside the given name: Kim Jong-un. Avoid underscores, glued words, or extra spaces.

If you see jong_un, Jong un, KimJong-un or KimJongun, replace them with Kim Jong-un.

One space between family name and given name.
One hyphen between the two syllables of the given name (Jong-un).
Never use underscores or join everything together.

Casual - Wrong: jong_un criticized the report.
Casual - Right: Jong-un criticized the report.
Wrong: KimJong-un arrived late.
Right: Kim Jong-un arrived late.

Grammar and punctuation: capitalization, possessives, commas

Capitalize K and J: Kim Jong-un. For possessives add 's: Kim Jong-un's speech. Place commas and parentheses around the whole name, never inside it.

Possessive: Kim Jong-un's policy (not Kim Jong-un policy).
Commas: Kim Jong-un, the leader, said... (commas come before/after the full name if the clause requires them).
Parentheses: (Kim Jong-un) - never break the given name with punctuation.

School - Wrong: Kim Jong-un policies were announced.
School - Right: Kim Jong-un's policies were announced.
Wrong: Jong-un's, influence was large.
Right: Jong-un's influence was large.

Real usage: newsrooms, academia, and casual speech

In formal writing, use the full hyphenated name on first reference (Kim Jong-un). Later you may shorten to Kim or to a title per style guide. Academic writing follows the same pattern.

In casual contexts, people sometimes write Jong-un alone; that works only when the audience clearly knows who you mean. Keep hyphenation and capitalization.

News/formal: First reference - Kim Jong-un. Subsequent: Kim or the leader (if allowed).
Academic: Use the full name on first mention and the possessive when discussing policy (Kim Jong-un's summit diplomacy).
Casual: Jong-un works in tweets or chats, but keep the hyphen and capital J.

Work: Headline: Kim Jong-un attends summit in Beijing.
School: Paper: In 2018, Kim Jong-un's diplomatic approach shifted toward summits.
Casual: Tweet: Did you see Jong-un's new haircut?

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence, not the phrase alone. Context usually makes the right form clear.

Examples: side-by-side wrong → right (work, school, casual)

These examples show exact edits: hyphenation, capitalization, spacing, titles, and possessives.

Work - Wrong: President Jong-un visited the capital.
Work - Right: President Kim Jong-un visited the capital.
Work - Wrong: the Jong-un signed the treaty.
Work - Right: Kim Jong-un signed the treaty.
School - Wrong: Jong Un's speech was analyzed in class.
School - Right: Jong-un's speech was analyzed in class.
School - Wrong: Kim Jong il visited in 2000.
School - Right: Kim Jong-il visited in 2000.
Casual - Wrong: jong_un is back.
Casual - Right: Jong-un is back.
Casual - Wrong: KimJongun posted a photo.
Casual - Right: Kim Jong-un posted a photo.

Fix your sentence: three ready-to-use rewrite templates

Pick the template that fits, then swap in the verb, object, year, or topic.

Work template: [Title] Kim Jong-un [verb] [object]. Example: President Kim Jong-un signed the agreement.
School template: In [year], Kim Jong-un's [policy/event] affected [topic]. Example: In 2018, Kim Jong-un's summit diplomacy affected regional relations.
Casual template: [Short mention] Jong-un [verb] [detail]. Example: Jong-un visited today.

Rewrite:
Wrong: Jong Un announced new measures. → Kim Jong-un announced new measures.
Rewrite:
Wrong: the Jong-un's era was marked by... → Kim Jong-un's era was marked by...
Rewrite:
Wrong: jong_un is back. → Jong-un is back.

Memory trick and similar mistakes to watch

Mnemonic: K-J-H - Kim (K), Jong (J), Hyphen (-) → Kim Jong-un. Picture the hyphen as a tie between Jong and un.

Watch similar Korean names (Kim Jong-il, Lee Myung-bak, Park Geun-hye). Common slips: dropping the hyphen, splitting capitals, or using an article (the Jong-un).

Mnemonic: K (Kim) - J (Jong) - hyphen - un.
Common slip-ups: Jongun, Jong Un, the Jong-un.
When unsure, use the full hyphenated name on first reference and follow your publication's style for later mentions.

Usage: Wrong: Lee Myungbak met officials.
Right: Lee Myung-bak met officials.
Usage: Wrong: Kim Jong il visited in 2000.
Right: Kim Jong-il visited in 2000.

Quick diagnostic checklist (fix a sentence in 20 seconds)

Work top to bottom - one change usually fixes the problem.

1) Capitalization: Are K and J capitalized? If not, fix them.
2) Hyphen: Is there a hyphen between Jong and un? If not, add it.
3) Spacing: Is there exactly one space between Kim and Jong-un? Fix spacing.
4) Title: If you used a title, did you include the family name (President Kim Jong-un)?
5) Possessive: For ownership, add 's to the full name (Kim Jong-un's).

Diagnostic: Original: President Jong-un visited. Checklist fix → Add family name: President Kim Jong-un visited.

FAQ

Should I write Kim Jong Un or Kim Jong-un?

Write Kim Jong-un with a hyphen in the given name and capitals on K and J. Omitting the hyphen is a common error.

Is it OK to say Jong-un on second reference?

Yes in headlines or casual contexts if readers will understand. In formal writing, prefer Kim or a title + surname per your style guide.

Do I add 's after Jong-un for possessives?

Yes. Form the possessive as Kim Jong-un's. Place the apostrophe and s after the full name.

Where does a title like President go?

Put the title before the full name: President Kim Jong-un. Don't attach the title only to the given name (President Jong-un).

Why are there hyphens in some other Korean names?

Many two-syllable Korean given names are hyphenated in English transliteration to show the syllable break (e.g., Jong-il, Myung-bak). Hyphens clarify pronunciation and keep forms consistent.

Need to check one sentence quickly?

Copy your sentence into a grammar or style tool to catch hyphenation, capitalization, and possessive errors. When editing, default to the full hyphenated form on first reference and use the rewrite templates above for fast fixes.