14-02-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Sister of North Korea's Kim, married with children to ‘tall and handsome' man, defector says
A former North Korean diplomat has revealed that Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of Pyongyang's ruler
Kim Jong-un , is married to a 'tall and handsome' man and that two children who had appeared with her in a recent photograph released by state media are likely hers.
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The revelation to South Korean daily JoongAng Ilbo provided a rare first-hand account from a senior official of the secretive regime regarding the life of its highly private family.
Ryu Hyun-woo,
North Korea 's acting ambassador to Kuwait when he defected to South Korea in 2019, told local media he had met Kim Yo-jong's family in 2014 during a visit to the tomb of Ko Yong-hui, mother of the Kim siblings.
Speculation about Kim Yo-jong's marital status began on New Year's Day in 2015 when a newspaper photo showed her visiting an orphanage, wearing a ring.
In 2014, multiple media outlets reported that she had married Choe Song, the son of Choe Ryong-hae, one of North Korea's most powerful officials.
Choe Ryong-hae, vice-chairman of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party, is the father of Choe Song. EPA-EFE/Pool
According to Ryu, the pair had met through a six-month special course at Kim Il Sung University.
