I am now the chief editorial writer of The Korea Times. I also worked as the managing editor of the newspaper for 26 months from April 2018. Before that my stints included Politics Desk editor, Business Desk editor, City Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. As a journalist of The Korea Times, the most influential English newspaper of Korea, I have been committed to promoting 'international justice' beyond the social justice pursued by vernacular papers. My career includes working as a visiting scholar in Britain's Cambridge University from 2006-07.
'N. Korean leader's aunt stays in Europe'
Kim Kyong-hui, wife of Jang Song-thaek who was executed last year, is now staying in Europe, Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun reported Thursday.
Kim, who is aunt of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left the North after Jang’s death, for Switzerland, the newspaper said quoting sources familiar with North Korea affairs.
Kim allegedly moved to Poland after then. In Poland, Kim Pyong-il, half-brother of late leader Kim Jong-il, is serving as North Korean ambassador. Kim’s whereabouts has been the target of attention after the previous No. 2 man of the reclusive nation was suddenly purged.
A source raised the possibility that Kim might have been expatriated. Or it is also possible that she voluntarily left the nation. “If she had left the North for mere medical treatment, she will return soon. But it is likely that she will stay overseas for a long period,” a source told the newspaper.
A Korean government source earlier said Kim has been suffering from alcoholic addiction and began to suffer another disease in her foot from September last year. To cure the disease, she visited Russia at that time.