Kim Yo-jong - weapon of choice in North Korea's charm offensive

Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, has freckles on her face in a photo taken during her meeting with President Moon Jae-in at Cheong Wa Dae, Saturday. / Yonhap

Kim Yo-jong has a hint of smile on her face before meeting President Moon Jae-in. / Yonhap

By Oh Young-jin

Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of North Korea's dictator Kim Jong-un, has hijacked the media's attention after the PyeongChang Winter Olympics started Friday.

During her two-day stay by Saturday, Kim, believed to be 31 years old, showed a kaleidoscope of facial expressions captured on video and in photos. Often, she looked cheerful and was caught suppressing a smile, and at other times humble. Rarely did she look haughty or arrogant.

According to some North Korea watchers, she did wear heavy makeup, just her usual light style. Some close-up footage showed she had freckles on both cheeks.

She looked fit and appeared nimble, compared to her brother and other male members of her family who are fat. Kim Yo-jong and her brother, Kim Jong-un, were born to Kim Jong-il, the previous North Korean leader, and his mistress Koh Yong-hui, a Japanese-born dancer.

Kim Jong-un returned to Pyongyang in the early 2000s after five or six years in Switzerland. There is a supposed photo of Kim as a chubby child, posted by the Washington Post's Anna Fifield on Twitter.

Kim Yo-jong, center back row, is seen with President Moo Jae-in, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the opening ceremony for the PyeongChang Olympics. / Yonhap

Kim Yo-jong is all smiles as she talks with Kim Yong-nam, North Korea's ceremonial head of state, in the VIP reception room at Incheon International Airport after they arrived in South Korea, Friday. / Yonhap

Kim's visit couldn't be more effective from the North Korean public relations point of view, especially considering her brother is known to be a ruthless dictator who had his agents kill his older brother with poison in daylight in the middle of an international airport, and his uncle killed by anti-aircraft guns.

But it is moot whether she represents any change in the North or its leader.
Still, the fact that she is the most trusted person by Kim Jong-un ― the Korean tradition of cherishing bloodlines ― and was sent as his envoy may indicate change is possibly on the horizon.

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