Kim Jong-un married in 2010: report

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Sat, September 30, 2023 | 19:04

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Kim Jong-un married in 2010: report

김정은 지난 해 10월 결혼

Posted : 2012-01-20 17:33

Updated : 2012-01-20 17:33

North Korea’s new leader Kim Jong-un waves during a visit to a military regiment as officers applaud in this undated photo released Thursday by Pyongyang’s state-run Korean Central News Agency. It was thought to be his second visit to a military site since becoming leader. Yonhap

By Kim Young-jin

New North Korean leader Kim Jong-un married a woman some two years his elder in an arrangement made by his powerful regents, a report said this week.

Japan’s Weekly Post quoted North Korean defectors as saying Kim married the woman, a graduate of the top Kim Il-sung University in 2010 after the matchmaking by his aunt and uncle, who are said to be guiding the young leader into power.

The report comes as the world continues to watch for clues about the little-known leader, who was thrust into the spotlight following the death of his father, Kim Jong-il, last month.

Analysts say that Kim Kyong-hiu, the late ruler’s younger sister, and her husband Jang Song-thaek, along with other powerful military and party figures are leading the country by committee as Jong-un, thought to be no older than 30 consolidates his support.

According to the report, the young woman was chosen as her parents were loyal party members. The defectors also said she may have been picked for her resemblance to the young Kim’s mother, Ko Yong-hui and for her strong university performance.

Though often referred to as a mistress, Ko is thought to have been the love of the late Kim’s life and is the mother of his three youngest children including the heir. She is said to have been treated with “first lady” status in the North

Some speculated that a young woman seen standing next to Kim during funeral services for his father may have been his wife. Others guessed she was his sister, Kim Yo-jong.

Pyongyang moved quickly to anoint Kim as its new leader, naming him as supreme leader and supreme commander of its armed forces. While it has unleashed a slew of propaganda to build his personality cult, little is known of him by the outside world. He is thought to have studied for a time in Switzerland and take after Kim Jong-il.

The late leader is said to have had multiple wives and consorts. His first wife, Sung Hye-lim, gave birth to Kim Jong-nam, his eldest son. Ko also mothered Kim Jong-chul, Jong-un’s older brother.

Kim Jong-il reportedly had groomed Jong-nam as successor before the wayward son was caught trying to enter Japan on a false passport. Jong-chul was said to have been too effeminate. Finally, the youngest son emerged as heir apparent in 2010, some two years after his father suffered a stroke.

김정은 지난 해 10월 결혼
김정은 북한 노동당 군사위원회 부위원장이 지난 2010년 봄에 결혼했다고 한국에 거주하는 복수의 탈북자를 인용해 일본 주간포스트 최근호로 보도했다. 주간포스트에 따르면 김정은이 결혼한 여성은 2살 연상으로 생모인 고영희를 닮은 미인으로 알려졌다.이 여성은 북한의 명문 김일성종합대를 졸업한 후 정치지도원 자격으로 대학원에 다녔다. 올해 30살로 알려진 이 여성은 북한 청진시 출신으로 아버지는 대학교수, 어머니는 간호부장인 우량 당원이라고 탈북자들이 전했다. 지난 2008년 김정일의 후계자로 내정한 후 김정은의 결혼 준비가 시작됐으며 2009년 여름 김정일이 병으로 쓰러지자 측근에 의해 결혼상대 선택이 본격적으로 추진됐다고 탈북자들이 밝혔다. 신부감 선택은 김정일의 여동생인 김경희 당경공업부장의 남편으로 김정은의 실질적인 후견인으로 알려진 장성택 당행정부장이 직접 관여하면서 당에 대한 충성도, 졸업성적, 용모, 부모와 친척의 당에 대한 공헌도 등을 포함 종합적인 고려를 통해 이 여성을 김정은 신부 후보로 김정일에게 추천했다. 이 여성을 보고 김정은이 한눈에 마음에 들었기 때문에 2년동안 교제한 후 지난해 봄 결혼했다. 탈북자들은 “김정일도 이 여성을 보고 3번째 부인 고영희를 닮았다”고 했으며 “김정은까지 생모와 닮은 이 여성을 보고 한눈에 반한 것이 아니냐”고 말했다. 이 여성은 김정은과 결혼 후 차기 최고지도자 부인교육을 받으며 김정은에게 조언을 하기도 한다는 것이다.김정은이 후계자로 결정된 이후 지난해 10월 당창건 65주년을 기념하는 ’ 축포야회(祝砲夜?)’라는 행사에서 성대한 불꽃놀이가 열리자 평양시민 사이에는 부인이 “시민을 즐겁게 합시다”라고 김정은에게 제안이 실현된 것이라는 소문이 퍼져다고 북한정세에 밝은 한국정부 관계자가 밝혔다.

yjk@koreatimes.co.kr