A Visit to Kim Jong Il's Russian Birthplace The legend surrounding the birth of North Korea's Kim Jong Il is extraordinary. But outside North Korea, few take that legend seriously. NPR's Lawrence Sheets traveled to a humble Russian farming town to learn about the real birthplace of the North Korean leader.

A Visit to Kim Jong Il's Russian Birthplace Listen A Visit to Kim Jong Il's Russian Birthplace A Visit to Kim Jong Il's Russian Birthplace A Visit to Kim Jong Il's Russian Birthplace Listen The legend surrounding the birth of North Korea's Kim Jong Il is extraordinary. But outside North Korea, few take that legend seriously. NPR's Lawrence Sheets traveled to a humble Russian farming town to learn about the real birthplace of the North Korean leader. NPR thanks our sponsors Become an NPR sponsor