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Will Kim Jong-un's sister become North Korea's most powerful woman? Will Kim Jong-un's sister become North Korea's most powerful woman?
(4 months later)
Debate continues over the likely political role awaiting Kim Yo-jong after her first public appearance at the Supreme People’s Assembly elections in March. Debate continues over the likely political role awaiting Kim Yo-jong after her first public appearance at the Supreme People’s Assembly elections in March.
Some are now questioning if the public debut of Kim Jong-un’s younger sister will negatively impact his wife, Ri Sol-ju.Some are now questioning if the public debut of Kim Jong-un’s younger sister will negatively impact his wife, Ri Sol-ju.
Kim Yo-jong's introduction as a “senior official of the Party Central Committee” certainly hints at the possibility of a future in the Party secretariat.Kim Yo-jong's introduction as a “senior official of the Party Central Committee” certainly hints at the possibility of a future in the Party secretariat.
The 27-year-old Kim (also known as: Kim Yeo-jung) may well find herself advising her brother, not unlike the role once filled by her aunt Kim Kyong-hui, who was once believed to be the most powerful woman in Pyongyang politics. She is now thought to be in hiding following the execution of her husband Jang Song-taek, Kim Jong-un's former mentor, last year.The 27-year-old Kim (also known as: Kim Yeo-jung) may well find herself advising her brother, not unlike the role once filled by her aunt Kim Kyong-hui, who was once believed to be the most powerful woman in Pyongyang politics. She is now thought to be in hiding following the execution of her husband Jang Song-taek, Kim Jong-un's former mentor, last year.
Indeed, Kim Yo-jong's heritage sees her well placed to take the lead in idolising Kim Jong-un and adding legitimacy to the Kim family legacy via the Party's powerful Propaganda and Agitation Department, a role that her elder sister Kim Sul-song also took on in their father's lifetime.Indeed, Kim Yo-jong's heritage sees her well placed to take the lead in idolising Kim Jong-un and adding legitimacy to the Kim family legacy via the Party's powerful Propaganda and Agitation Department, a role that her elder sister Kim Sul-song also took on in their father's lifetime.
Kim Kyong-hui's extended period of absence may also allow the younger Kim to rise to fill a behind-the-scenes role, although her age and lack of experience will remain a serious concern.Kim Kyong-hui's extended period of absence may also allow the younger Kim to rise to fill a behind-the-scenes role, although her age and lack of experience will remain a serious concern.
Meanwhile, Ri Sol-ju, who was an entertainer, has appeared in public on numerous occasions since her debut on 6 July 2012. This year, however, she has kept a lower profile.Meanwhile, Ri Sol-ju, who was an entertainer, has appeared in public on numerous occasions since her debut on 6 July 2012. This year, however, she has kept a lower profile.
Kim Jong-il was known to have at least four partners during his lifetime [Song Hye-rim, Kim Young-sook, Ko Young-hee and Kim Ok], although not one ever accompanied him in public.Kim Jong-il was known to have at least four partners during his lifetime [Song Hye-rim, Kim Young-sook, Ko Young-hee and Kim Ok], although not one ever accompanied him in public.
The decision to have Ri Sol-ju appear arm-in-arm with Kim Jong-un was largely a strategic one; partly to deflect attention away from his young age, and partly to assure the public of internal stability.The decision to have Ri Sol-ju appear arm-in-arm with Kim Jong-un was largely a strategic one; partly to deflect attention away from his young age, and partly to assure the public of internal stability.
Disappointingly for the regime, rumours slamming Ri Sol-ju as a “cheap performer” have done little to aid its efforts to idolise her husband. Indeed, the recent arrival of Kim Yo-jong has led some experts to surmise that Ri Sol-ju's days in the limelight may be numbered.Disappointingly for the regime, rumours slamming Ri Sol-ju as a “cheap performer” have done little to aid its efforts to idolise her husband. Indeed, the recent arrival of Kim Yo-jong has led some experts to surmise that Ri Sol-ju's days in the limelight may be numbered.
One former high-ranking North Korean defector explained to Daily NK, “If Ri Sol-ju continues to be seen in public in such a high position, the people may hold to their negative assumption that the Marshal [Kim Jong-un] is too caught up in trivialities. Unlike Ri Sol-ju who comes from a low performance background, Kim Yo-jong is easy to idolise as she comes from the Baekdu bloodline. Ri’s role is likely to lessen as a result.” One former high-ranking North Korean defector explained to Daily NK, “If Ri Sol-ju continues to be seen in public in such a high position, the people may hold to their negative assumption that the Marshal [Kim Jong-un] is too caught up in trivialities. Unlike Ri Sol-ju who comes from a low performance background, Kim Yo-jong is easy to idolise as she comes from the Baekdu bloodline. Ri’s role is likely to lessen as a result.”
“If Kim Yo Jong is already involved with the Party it’s likely she currently holds a role at the Propaganda and Agitation Department. Ri Sol-ju was active in the Unhasu Orchestra, so she is more likely to stick to a role in the arts,” the defector assessed. “If Kim Yo Jong is already involved with the Party it’s likely she currently holds a role at the Propaganda and Agitation Department. Ri Sol-ju was active in the Unhasu Orchestra, so she is more likely to stick to a role in the arts,” the defector assessed.