 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.
