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South Korea ex-First Lady Lee Hee-ho meets Kim Jong-un | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
South Korea's former First Lady Lee Hee-ho has met the North's designated new leader Kim Jong-un during a trip to Pyongyang, Seoul officials say. | South Korea's former First Lady Lee Hee-ho has met the North's designated new leader Kim Jong-un during a trip to Pyongyang, Seoul officials say. |
Mrs Lee, 89, had a brief meeting with Kim Jong-un during a visit to offer condolences for the death of his father, Kim Jong-il. | Mrs Lee, 89, had a brief meeting with Kim Jong-un during a visit to offer condolences for the death of his father, Kim Jong-il. |
Seoul insists that she is on a private trip, and is not carrying any message from the government. | Seoul insists that she is on a private trip, and is not carrying any message from the government. |
State media have portrayed Kim Jong-un as leader since his father's death. | State media have portrayed Kim Jong-un as leader since his father's death. |
The Rodong Sinmun newspaper has described Kim Jong-un as the head of the Workers' Party Central Committee, meaning that he now controls one of the country's highest decision-making bodies. | The Rodong Sinmun newspaper has described Kim Jong-un as the head of the Workers' Party Central Committee, meaning that he now controls one of the country's highest decision-making bodies. |
The newspaper earlier gave him the title of "supreme commander" of the armed forces. | The newspaper earlier gave him the title of "supreme commander" of the armed forces. |
Communist dynasty | Communist dynasty |
Seoul has allowed only two private delegations to travel north to pay their respects, and will not be sending any officials to the funeral. | Seoul has allowed only two private delegations to travel north to pay their respects, and will not be sending any officials to the funeral. |
The South's unification ministry said Mrs Lee met Kim Jong-un for only about 10 minutes. | |
A second delegation, led by Hyundai chairwoman Hyun Jung-eun, also met the presumed new leader. | A second delegation, led by Hyundai chairwoman Hyun Jung-eun, also met the presumed new leader. |
The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Seoul says whatever was discussed, the meetings are another sign of Kim Jong-un's growing profile. | The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Seoul says whatever was discussed, the meetings are another sign of Kim Jong-un's growing profile. |
It is believed to be the first time he has met such prominent South Koreans. | It is believed to be the first time he has met such prominent South Koreans. |
Both women have strong connections with the North. | Both women have strong connections with the North. |
Hyundai was at the forefront of efforts to build business ties with the North, and Mrs Lee's husband Kim Dae-jung pioneered what became known as the Sunshine Policy, trying to engage the North through diplomacy. | Hyundai was at the forefront of efforts to build business ties with the North, and Mrs Lee's husband Kim Dae-jung pioneered what became known as the Sunshine Policy, trying to engage the North through diplomacy. |
Mrs Lee met Kim Jong-il during a landmark summit in 2000, and said in a statement that she hoped her visit would help to improve relations on the peninsula. | Mrs Lee met Kim Jong-il during a landmark summit in 2000, and said in a statement that she hoped her visit would help to improve relations on the peninsula. |
"As chairman Kim Jong-il sent a condolence delegation to Seoul when my husband passed away in 2009, I believe it is our duty to express our condolences," she said. | "As chairman Kim Jong-il sent a condolence delegation to Seoul when my husband passed away in 2009, I believe it is our duty to express our condolences," she said. |
North Korea is trying to carry on the world's only Communist family dynasty. | North Korea is trying to carry on the world's only Communist family dynasty. |
Kim Jong-il inherited power from his father Kim il-Sung in 1994 after more than two decades being primed for the role. | Kim Jong-il inherited power from his father Kim il-Sung in 1994 after more than two decades being primed for the role. |
However, his son Kim Jong-un is still in his 20s and has very little political experience. | However, his son Kim Jong-un is still in his 20s and has very little political experience. |
Analysts say he will be surrounded by a group of experienced military insiders and relatives, as the Pyongyang elite attempts to hold on to power. | Analysts say he will be surrounded by a group of experienced military insiders and relatives, as the Pyongyang elite attempts to hold on to power. |
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