South Korean intelligence officials are increasingly paying attention to a woman who is taking care of the ailing North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

Kim Ok, 44, is known to be de facto the fourth wife of Kim Jong-il. As Kim’s confidante, she is one of a handful of people who have free access to the bedridden Kim Jong-il.

Analysts pointed out her as someone who deserves “the most attention” in terms of her growing political clout, which is likely to grow further.

For example, she is expected to influence on Kim Jong-il’s key personnel appointment and who can see the ailing Kim, in case the leader recovers his illness and resumes his work in a limited manner.

Kim Ok majored in piano at Pyongyang Musical College and started to work at one of the offices that managed secretarial tasks for Kim Jong-il.