UK Media: "North Korea's No. 2 Kim Yo-jong, Shift in Atmosphere After Nephew's Appearance"

Kim Jong-un Faces Various Health Issues Due to Overweight
Atmosphere of Succession Changes After Kim Juae's Reveal

The Sunday Times, the Sunday edition of the British daily The Times, on the 3rd focused on Kim Yo-jong, the sister of Chairman Kim Jong-un and vice department director of the Workers' Party, as the real power holder in North Korea. It viewed Vice Director Kim, who exerts unparalleled influence around Chairman Kim, as being closer to the pinnacle of North Korean power than anyone else. However, it analyzed that subtle shifts in the atmosphere are being detected due to the emergence of Kim Ju-ae, Kim Jong-un's daughter.

The Times pointed out that among the key figures close to the Kim Jong-un regime, there are many women. These include Choe Son-hui, North Korea's Foreign Minister who speaks fluent English; Kim Ju-ae, Kim Jong-un's daughter; and Hyun Song-wol, vice department director of the Party and former singer of the Wangjaesan Light Music Band who serves as Kim Jong-un's protocol aide. However, among them, no one is as close to influence and authority as Kim Yo-jong.

Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the North Korean Workers' Party, who was present at the Hanoi North Korea-US Summit
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Vice Director Kim has appeared alongside Chairman Kim whenever he has engaged in external activities over recent years. In particular, she left a strong impression worldwide by assisting Chairman Kim during the North Korea?United States summits with former U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Times explained that North Korea continues its patriarchal tradition with the Kim family practicing hereditary rule, and this uniqueness has made Vice Director Kim emerge as a prominent figure.

Kim Il-sung, the late President, had a son Kim Jong-il, the former National Defense Commission Chairman, who had seven children. Among them, Kim Jong-chol, Kim Jong-un, and Kim Yo-jong endured a lonely study abroad life together in Europe during their childhood. Professor Andrei Lankov of Kookmin University believes that they formed a bond during this isolated period. After completing her studies, Kim Yo-jong returned to Pyongyang. After entering university, she joined the Propaganda and Agitation Department in 2012. Since then, North Korean agencies began to unleash harsh criticisms toward South Korea and the United States.

The Times reported, "Although the source of the quotes at that time was not specified, some see traces of Kim Yo-jong," adding, "Her early appearances show much harsher and more shocking insults than her brother."

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un watched a sports match held among Cabinet and Ministry of Defense employees to commemorate the Day of the Shining Star on February 17, together with his daughter Kim Ju Ae and his younger sister, Workers' Party Deputy Department Director Kim Yo Jong, according to the Korean Central News Agency.

However, the conflict between President Trump and Chairman Kim in 2017 eased around February 2018 with the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in South Korea. At that time, Vice Director Kim attended the opening ceremony as a special envoy, sitting behind South Korean President Moon Jae-in and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence. She also delivered a letter from Chairman Kim to President Moon, requesting a visit to North Korea.

Recently, Kim Jong-un is reported to be suffering from various health issues due to being overweight. Both his father and grandfather died of heart attacks. Although Kim Yo-jong seemed to have secured her position in the succession structure early on, since November last year, Kim Ju-ae has appeared in public, changing the atmosphere.

The Times emphasized, "The emergence of Kim Ju-ae may be a symbolic move to establish the principles of the Kim family's rule," and "Although it may take decades, Kim Ju-ae could be undergoing training as North Korea's next leader."

It then questioned, "What does this really mean for Kim Yo-jong?" listing purges under Kim Jong-un's regime such as the assassination of half-brother Kim Jong-nam and the execution of uncle Jang Song-thaek.