Kim Yo Jong,born on September 26,1987 (although some sources suggest 1989),in Pyongyang,North Korea,is the youngest child of the former North Korean leader,Kim Jong Il,and Ko Yong-hui.Her family background is steeped in the history of North Korea's political dynasty,making her upbringing unique and influential.
Education Abroad and Close Sibling Bond:
During her initial years,Kim Yo Jong spent a critical part of her experience growing up abroad in Switzerland,where she learned at the Liebefeld-Steinhölzli public school in Bern. Interestingly,she used the normal name "Pak Mi-hyang" to stay aware of haziness.It was during this time that she cultivated a comfortable relationship with her senior brother,Kim Jong Un,who would later transform into the incomparable head of North Korea.
Entering North Korean Politics:
In 2007,Kim Yo Jong formally entered North Korean politics when she was appointed as a junior cadre in the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).This marked the beginning of her journey within the political echelons of one of the world's most closed and secretive regimes.Her early work possibly involved supporting her father or her aunt,Kim Kyong-hui.
Key Role in Hereditary Succession:
Kim Yo Jong's influence in North Korean politics began to grow in 2009 and 2010 when she actively participated in her father's hereditary succession campaign.During this period, she also took on roles in the National Defense Commission and worked in her father's personal secretariat.
Public Debut and Close Aide to Kim Jong Il:
In March 2009,Kim Yo Jong became part of a select group of close aides and family members who made public appearances alongside her father.However,her presence remained relatively unnoticed until September 2010 when she was distinguished among members at the third Meeting of the WPK.
Prominence during Kim Jong Il's Funeral:
Kim Yo Jong received significant public attention during the funeral service for her father,Kim Jong Il,in December 2011.She appeared alongside her brother,Kim Jong Un,leading groups of senior party officials in bowing at her father's casket.This marked her emergence onto the global stage,and her role in the transition of leadership within North Korea became increasingly prominent.
Crucial Duties as Tour Manager:
At the beginning of 2012,Kim Yo Jong assumed a crucial role as the tour manager for her brother,Kim Jong Un,within the National Defense Commission.This position involved arranging her brother's itineraries,schedules,logistical needs,and security arrangements.During this time,her public appearances remained limited,but her influence in shaping Kim Jong Un's public image and leadership style began to take shape.
Official Mention and Party Roles:
Kim Yo Jong accepted her most memorable authority notice in state media in March 2014 when she went with her sibling in deciding in favor of the Supreme People's Assembly.She was assigned a "senior official" of the WPK central Committee.In October 2014,she was accounted for to have assumed control over state responsibilities for her sibling while he went through clinical treatment.The accompanying month,she was selected First Deputy Director of the party's Propaganda and Agitation Division.
Leadership of Propaganda and Agitation Department:
As the vice-director of the department,Kim Yo Jong took on the responsibility of assisting in consolidating Kim Jong Un's power through the implementation of various "idolization projects." In July 2015,reports indicated that she played the role of de facto leader of the department, with nominal director Kim Ki-nam in a supporting role.Her precise portfolio remained undisclosed,but she frequently accompanied Kim Jong Un on his "field guidance" trips.
Crafting Kim Jong Un's Cult of Personality:
Kim Yo Jong has been credited as a driving force behind the development of her brother's cult of personality,modeled after their grandfather,Kim Il Sung.She played a key role in encouraging her brother to present an image of a "man of the people," often engaging in relatable activities,such as rides on fairground attractions and cultivating his friendship with basketball star Dennis Rodman.
International Recognition and Sanctions:
In January 2017,Kim Yo Jong was placed on the United States Department of the Treasury's Specially Designated Nationals List in response to human rights abuses in North Korea.This international recognition further solidified her position within the North Korean regime.
Political Ascension and Diplomacy:
Kim Yo Jong's rise continued in October 2017 when she was made an alternate member of the Politburo,only the second woman to be appointed to this decision-making body.Her ascension marked the potential replacement of her aunt,Kim Kyong-hui,within the regime.Kim Yo Jong's new position hinted at her potential involvement with the State Security Department,a significant branch of North Korean government.
Special Envoy and Diplomatic Involvement:
In 2018,Kim Yo Jong stood out as truly newsworthy as she went to the 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Pyeongchang,South Korea. This visit was historic,as it denoted the initial time an individual of the ruling Kim dynasty had visited South Korea since the Korean Conflict.She met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and served as a special envoy of Kim Jong Un,delivering a personally written letter from her brother to Moon.Her involvement in the 2018 North Korea-United States Singapore Summit and the 2019 North Korea-United States Hanoi Summit showcased her increasing role in diplomatic affairs.
Continuous Influence and Promotion:
According to experts,Kim Yo Jong's promotion and that of other younger figures in the North Korean leadership indicate a shift away from the older elites of Kim Jong Il's era.Her rise has been part of Kim Jong Un's strategy to appoint a new generation of leaders loyal to his rule.Her influence in the government has fluctuated over the years,but she has consistently played a pivotal role in shaping North Korean politics.
Recent Developments and International Presence:
In September 2021,it was reported that Kim Yo Jong was promoted to be a member of the State Affairs Commission,further solidifying her status as a key figure in North Korean governance.She continued to make her presence felt on the international stage by accompanying Kim Jong Un to summits and representing North Korea in various diplomatic endeavors.
Challenges and Confrontations:
Kim Yo Jong has not shied away from issuing statements and warnings to international actors. In 2021,she criticized South Korean military drills and warned the Biden administration to refrain from antagonizing North Korea.Her strong stance on North Korea's position and interests underlines her role as a key diplomatic figure.
International Attention and Social Media Fame:
Kim Yo Jong gained significant attention on social media,particularly during periods of speculation about Kim Jong Un's health.Her public appearances,coupled with her unique position as the sister of the Supreme Leader,made her a subject of memes,informational videos,and online "stanning."
Personal Life and Family:
In late 2014,Kim Yo Jong reportedly married Choe Song,the second son of government official Choe Ryong-hae.Choe Song is believed to be an alumnus of Kim Il Sung University and may have ties to Room 39 of the Workers' Party of Korea or work in a military unit responsible for guarding the country's leader.
Kim Yo Jong reportedly gave birth to a child in May 2015,which further solidified her role as a mother and wife alongside her responsibilities in the political arena.During the 2018 Winter Olympics,she was even reported to have disclosed that she was pregnant,adding a personal dimension to her public image.
Continued Influence:
Despite fluctuations in her official positions within the North Korean government,Kim Yo Jong's influence has remained substantial.Her consistent involvement in high-profile diplomatic engagements,including summits with world leaders and representing North Korea on the international stage,underscores her significance within the regime.
Challenges and Diplomatic Tensions:
Kim Yo Jong has not hesitated to address diplomatic tensions, especially with South Korea and the United States.Her vocal warnings and threats regarding military drills and international cooperation underline her commitment to defending North Korean interests.
Recent Diplomatic Engagements:
In September 2023,Kim Yo Jong made headlines once again when she accompanied her brother,Kim Jong Un,at a summit in Russia with Russian President Vladimir Putin.Her presence at such high-profile international events continues to showcase her role as a key diplomatic figure for North Korea.
Legacy and Future:
Kim Yo Jong's excursion in North Korean governmental issues has been both powerful and baffling.As the more youthful sister of the Supreme Leader,she played vital roles in uniting her sibling's power,crafting his image,and addressing North Korea on the worldwide stage. Her future inside the system remains uncertain,but her steady presence and impact propose that she will keep on being a focal figure in North Korean politics and government.
Conclusion:
Kim Yo Jong's life story is one of political ascension,diplomatic engagements,and the complexities of growing up in one of the world's most secretive and authoritarian regimes.As she continues to navigate the intricate web of North Korean politics,her impact on the country's future and its relationships with the international community remains a topic of global interest and scrutiny.Kim Yo Jong represents not only the Kim family's enduring legacy but also the evolving dynamics of leadership in North Korea, poised to influence its trajectory for years to come.
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