Photo of NK leader’s grandson restricted
By Kim Young-jin
The grandson of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, who is set to attend an international school in Bosnia has restricted access to his Facebook page, but not before the media accessed his photographs.
Kim Han-sol, 16, the son of Kim Jong-nam, the North Korean leader’s oldest son, has grabbed attention in recent days after the United World Colleges (UWC) in Mostar said it had accepted him.
Han-sol’s page began restricting access to his profile information and photos as of Saturday morning, shortly after reports surfaced of his acceptance to the school. Facebook users can control the material they share.
The photographs reveal a young man who has embraced modern culture, as he is shown with dyed-orange hair, earrings and even a necklace with a cross. In one image he is shown at a party with a young woman who appears to be his girlfriend.
The school said Kim was still waiting for a two-year Bosnian visa and had yet to arrive.
Kim Jong-il is thought to place high emphasis on education. The younger generation of Kims has largely been educated in Europe, including heir apparent Kim Jong-un, who went to school in Switzerland.
Kim Jong-nam, who spends much of his time in Beijing and Macau, is the most forthcoming member of the secretive family, giving occasional interviews to foreign media. He reportedly holds strained relations with the ruling clan. Kim Jong-il is said to have skipped over him in choosing his heir due to his playboy lifestyle.
It is not the first sign that younger members of the Kim family have embraced foreign culture. In February, a man thought to be Kim Jong-chul, the leader’s second son, was spotted at an Eric Clapton concert in Singapore. Heir apparent Kim Jong-un is said to be a huge fan of basketball.
The UWC is a network of schools that often accepts students from war-torn areas. It has a special outreach program for North Korea.