Kim Yo-jong Seen Holding Hands with Children Presumed to Be Her Own
Visiting New Year's Performance Venue
Many 'Rumors' Surrounding Marriage and Childbirth
Yet No Official Appearance in North Korean Media
Intelligence Agencies Estimate Birth in May 2015
Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party, is heading to an outdoor table at the Pyongyang 'May 1st Stadium' with children. Photo by Korean Central TV
Kim Yo-jong, Vice Department Director of the Workers' Party of Korea and sister of Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the North Korean Workers' Party, was spotted entering the New Year's celebration venue accompanied by children presumed to be her own. Since no information regarding Kim Yo-jong's marriage or childbirth has been disclosed, this has drawn even greater attention.
On the 1st, Korean Central Television broadcast a recording of the grand New Year celebration performance held on the 31st of last month at the 'May 1st Stadium' located in Pyongyang. The released footage showed high-ranking officials walking as couples toward tables set up outdoors before entering the stadium.
However, in the video, Vice Director Kim was seen holding hands with a girl and a boy as they entered the stadium together, attracting attention. Although there was no scene showing Kim and the children getting off the same vehicle, the footage depicting families entering separately led to speculation that the two children might be Kim Yo-jong's own.
Possibility Raised That Kim Jong-un’s Children Were Also Present
Some speculate that she might have brought along children of Kim Jong-un, the General Secretary, other than Ju-ae, who have not been publicly revealed until now. However, given the nature of North Korean society, it is presumed that the 'successor' would not publicly present the supreme leader’s sons in such a manner.
Previously, Vice Director Kim Yo-jong was first seen wearing what appeared to be a 'wedding ring' in 2015, raising the possibility of marriage. There were also rumors that she married an official from Party Office No. 39, which manages the supreme leader’s funds, around the fall of 2014, but her marriage, pregnancy, or childbirth has never been officially confirmed. In April 2015, the National Intelligence Service reportedly included in a report to the National Assembly Intelligence Committee that Kim Yo-jong was presumed to have given birth in May of that year.
Meanwhile, at the event, Chairman Kim watched the performance alongside members of the Workers' Party Central Committee Political Bureau Standing Committee and Political Bureau, party and government officials, military commanders, and model workers. Sitting next to Chairman Kim were his daughter Ju-ae and Premier Pak Tae-song. Pak Tae-song rose to become the economic chief by replacing former Premier Kim Tok-hun at the 11th Plenary Meeting of the 8th Workers' Party Central Committee held at the end of last year. Other officials in attendance included Choe Ryong-hae, Jo Yong-won, Ri Pyong-chol, Pak Jong-chon, Kim Jae-ryong, No Kwang-chol, Kim Tok-hun, Ri Il-hwan, Jo Chun-ryong, Choe Son-hui, Kim Jong-kwan, Choe Dong-myong, Ri Yong-gil, Kim Myong-sik, and Jeong Kyong-taek.
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