NK leader's younger sister in spotlight

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, left, visits Kim Il-sung University to attend a vote to select new delegates for the Supreme People's Assembly, North Korean state's newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, said Sunday. Kim's younger sister Yo-jong, circled in red, accompanied him. She is expected to play a bigger role in politics in the North. / Yonhap

By Chung Min-uck

Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, is currently the subject of media scrutiny.

She was identified by the North Korean media for the first time during the elections held for the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) Sunday.

North Korea watchers say the 27-year-old Kim Yo-jong will play a bigger role in Pyongyang politics, similar to Kim Kyoung-hi, the younger sister of late former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

Kim Kyoung-hi is said to be staying out of the political scene following the execution of her once-powerful ex-husband Jang Song-thaek in December, and because of health problems.

This has raised speculation that Kim Yo-jong may fill the void left by her sick aunt.

"Kim Yo-jong is part of the so-called Baekdu Bloodline of the Kim family, and that alone is enough to prove that she will have a greater influence in the decision-making of the North's leadership," said Ko Yoo-hwan, a professor of North Korea studies at Dongguk University in Seoul, Monday.

The Baekdu Bloodline refers to the hereditary succession political structure of North Korea led by the Kim family.

Baekdu is the name of a mountain located at the North's border with China, which Pyongyang promotes as the legendary birthplace of Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-un's grandfather and the founder of North Korea.

"Moreover, she was already referred to as assuming a key position in the North's ruling Workers' Party," Ko said. "I believe she is currently supporting Kim Jong-un in managing state affairs, just like Kim Kyoung-hi did for her brother."

"As time passes, we will see more public appearances from Kim Yo-jong along with her growing influence," the professor added.

The North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), in its report Sunday, indicated that Kim Yo-jong was listed as being among senior officials of the powerful Central Committee of the Workers' Party.

Also, appearing on North Korean television, she was seen accompanying Kim Jong-un, along with other political heavyweights, Kim Kyong-ok and Hwang Pyong-so.

Hwang is a vice department director of the Workers' Party, and Kim Yo-jong's name immediately followed Hwang's, indicating that she may hold a similar position within the party, an equivalent of a vice cabinet minister in South Korea.

Reportedly, Kim Yo-jong was educated in Switzerland along with Kim Jong-un in the 1990s.

Meanwhile, the KCNA reported Monday that Kim Jong-un, who was registered as a candidate for the constituency, 111 Mount Baekdu, was unanimously elected.

It was the first election for the SPA under the young ruler, who took power in December 2011 following the death of his father Kim Jong-il.

The communist state holds an election every five years, with the last one held in March 2009.

It is largely regarded as a formality because North Korean voters can cast their ballots for one candidate standing in each of the 687 constituencies.

The official voter turnout was tallied at 99.98 percent for the last election, with 100 percent voting for the approved candidates. The turnout figure for this year's election wasn't immediately available but is once again expected to be close to 100 percent.

Site Map E-paper Subscribe Register LogIn
Site Map E-paper Subscribe Register LogIn