Kim Jong-un's younger sister seems to have been promoted: S. Korean intel official
- 5 years ago
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's younger sister used to be constantly by her brother's side, taking care of arrangements and protocol to make sure events went off without a hitch.
But now, it seems Kim Yo-jong has received a major promotion, one that makes puts among the ten most powerful people in Pyeongyang's elite.
Oh Soo-young has the details.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister now appears to be the ninth most powerful figure in the regime.
Seated just four seats to the left of her brother, Kim Yo-jong sat in the front row at a memorial on Monday in Pyeongyang Gymnasium, marking the 25th death anniversary of their grandfather and the founder of North Korea, Kim Il-sung.
She was among ten of the top officials, including senior officials of the ruling Workers' Party, Pak Pong-ju and Ri Man-gon and Ri Su-yong.
Choe Ryong-hae, who heads the country's rubber-stamp parliament, and premier Kim Jae-ryong were also at the event.
Experts believe Kim Yo-jong's seating position indicates she wields a lot more power than she used to.
"As she was seated among the Vice Chairmen of the party's central committee as well as its politicians, it's possible Kim Yo-jong's status has been raised from a candidate of the politburo to an actual member."
Kim Yo-jong is currently the first vice director of the Workers' Party's Propaganda and Agitation Department,... working under its nominal director, Pak Kwang-ho.
Up until the Hanoi Summit between the U.S. and North Korean leaders earlier this year,... Kim Yo-jong's role mainly consisted of making arrangements and overseeing the order of events for her brother.
However, according to Lee Hye-hoon, the head of the Intelligence Committee at South Korea's National Assembly,... it seems that baton has been passed to former pop star and now-deputy propaganda director, Hyon Song-wol.
In recent weeks, Kim Yo-jong has stood next to key officials in diplomatic events,... being the seventh person in line to shake hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping when he recently made a state visit to Pyeongyang,... and also being accompanied by bodyguards an uncommon feature for deputy directors.
Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.
But now, it seems Kim Yo-jong has received a major promotion, one that makes puts among the ten most powerful people in Pyeongyang's elite.
Oh Soo-young has the details.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister now appears to be the ninth most powerful figure in the regime.
Seated just four seats to the left of her brother, Kim Yo-jong sat in the front row at a memorial on Monday in Pyeongyang Gymnasium, marking the 25th death anniversary of their grandfather and the founder of North Korea, Kim Il-sung.
She was among ten of the top officials, including senior officials of the ruling Workers' Party, Pak Pong-ju and Ri Man-gon and Ri Su-yong.
Choe Ryong-hae, who heads the country's rubber-stamp parliament, and premier Kim Jae-ryong were also at the event.
Experts believe Kim Yo-jong's seating position indicates she wields a lot more power than she used to.
"As she was seated among the Vice Chairmen of the party's central committee as well as its politicians, it's possible Kim Yo-jong's status has been raised from a candidate of the politburo to an actual member."
Kim Yo-jong is currently the first vice director of the Workers' Party's Propaganda and Agitation Department,... working under its nominal director, Pak Kwang-ho.
Up until the Hanoi Summit between the U.S. and North Korean leaders earlier this year,... Kim Yo-jong's role mainly consisted of making arrangements and overseeing the order of events for her brother.
However, according to Lee Hye-hoon, the head of the Intelligence Committee at South Korea's National Assembly,... it seems that baton has been passed to former pop star and now-deputy propaganda director, Hyon Song-wol.
In recent weeks, Kim Yo-jong has stood next to key officials in diplomatic events,... being the seventh person in line to shake hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping when he recently made a state visit to Pyeongyang,... and also being accompanied by bodyguards an uncommon feature for deputy directors.
Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.