[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, attended the Kwangmyongsong Day (Kim Jong-il's birthday) commemorative performance with his wife, Ri Sol-ju. It is the first time in a year that Ri has appeared in an official public setting.
The Workers' Party's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on the 17th that General Secretary Kim attended the Kwangmyongsong Day commemorative performance accompanied by his wife on the 16th.
Rodong Sinmun conveyed the atmosphere at the scene, stating, "When General Secretary Kim appeared in the theater seats with Mrs. Ri, all participants raised a loud cheer of 'manse' (long live)."
Unlike the wives of previous North Korean leaders, Mrs. Ri has often appeared in official settings, showing a 'First Lady' persona. However, since attending the commemorative performance at Samjiyon Theater on January 25 of last year, she had not been seen publicly for over a year.
There has been analysis that the timing was due to COVID-19 quarantine measures, but rumors of pregnancy and personal issues were also raised. Regarding this, the National Intelligence Service explained at the National Assembly Intelligence Committee on the 16th, "There are no unusual developments, and she is playing well with the children," adding, "It is due to quarantine measures."
Mrs. Ri's appearance in an official setting after a long absence is also interpreted as North Korea showing confidence in its COVID-19 quarantine measures. In the photos released by Rodong Sinmun that day, the General Secretary and his wife were not wearing masks, and the attendees at the performance were not practicing social distancing.
Meanwhile, on the same day, Chairman Kim paid respects at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where the remains of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il are preserved, along with members of the Central Committee Political Bureau Standing Committee and Political Bureau members. Since taking power in 2012, Chairman Kim has visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun every year on Kwangmyongsong Day.
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