North Korea's Kim Yo Jong spotted with children in rare public moment
The sister of the North Korean leader, Kim Yo Jong, appeared in the company of two children during a New Year’s performance. The footage, released by state media, marks the first occasion where she has been shown with children.
In the New Year’s artistic performance broadcast by Korean Central Television, Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, garnered attention. The deputy director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea was seen walking outside the event venue.
According to "Radio Free Asia," the footage showed Kim Yo Jong with two children. Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un was seen walking with his daughter, who is increasingly viewed as a potential successor to the leader.
As reported by foreign media, the video of Kim Yo Jong strolling with children seems to be part of a propaganda effort to improve senior regime officials' image. North Korea reveals little about the private lives of its leaders, forcing outside observers to scrutinise every available clue.
Who is the father of Kim Yo Jong's children?
Foreign media closely observe Kim Yo Jong due to her position and influence. In April 2015, the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) reported that Kim Jong Un’s sister was expecting a child, and in 2018, another source confirmed her pregnancy with a second child during a visit to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
Speculation often also surrounds her husband. NIS speculated that he is a former colleague from Kim Il Sung University. Meanwhile, the North Korean Strategic Information Service Center reported in 2018 that Kim Yo Jong's husband is Woo In-hak, a graduate of Kim Il Sung University and the son of a lower-ranking party official.
According to "Radio Free Asia," there were suggestions that Kim Jong Un might have deliberately chosen a husband for his sister from outside the political elite, to prevent a concentration of power, similar to the approach he took with his uncle Jang Song Thaek.
