North Korea's first lady reappears after 17-month absence – with Gucci bag in tow
North Korea 's secretive ruling family put on a rare display of domestic harmony this week, as first lady Ri Sol-ju re-emerged in public after a 17-month absence, her return appearing to signal a carefully orchestrated bid to project an image of dynastic stability.
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Ri, carrying what appeared to be a Gucci handbag, was photographed alongside her husband,
Kim Jong-un , and their daughter, Kim Ju-ae, at the opening of the long-delayed
Wonsan-Kalma coastal resort – a showcase tourist zone on the country's east coast.
The event, held on Tuesday and publicised in images released two days later by state media, was widely seen as a tightly choreographed family appearance intended to bolster the country's domestic and international image.
'This is a choreographed move designed to project an image of an ideal socialist family embodied by the Kims,' Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told This Week in Asia.
Kim's younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, was also present but kept her distance, seen standing near aides and playing a background role in support of her brother, sister-in-law and niece.
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Notably, Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui stood closer to Kim than his sister did, greeting foreign dignitaries including Russian Ambassador Alexandr Matsegora.
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South China Morning Post
10 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
North Korea's first lady reappears after 17-month absence – with Gucci bag in tow
North Korea 's secretive ruling family put on a rare display of domestic harmony this week, as first lady Ri Sol-ju re-emerged in public after a 17-month absence, her return appearing to signal a carefully orchestrated bid to project an image of dynastic stability. Advertisement Ri, carrying what appeared to be a Gucci handbag, was photographed alongside her husband, Kim Jong-un , and their daughter, Kim Ju-ae, at the opening of the long-delayed Wonsan-Kalma coastal resort – a showcase tourist zone on the country's east coast. The event, held on Tuesday and publicised in images released two days later by state media, was widely seen as a tightly choreographed family appearance intended to bolster the country's domestic and international image. 'This is a choreographed move designed to project an image of an ideal socialist family embodied by the Kims,' Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told This Week in Asia. Kim's younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, was also present but kept her distance, seen standing near aides and playing a background role in support of her brother, sister-in-law and niece. Advertisement Notably, Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui stood closer to Kim than his sister did, greeting foreign dignitaries including Russian Ambassador Alexandr Matsegora.
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