Kim Yo Jong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kim Yo Jong
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김여정
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Kim in 2018
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| Member of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea | |
| Assumed office September 2021 |
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| President | Kim Jong Un |
| Deputy Director of the Publicity and Information Department | |
| Assumed office 28 November 2014 |
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| General Secretary | Kim Jong Un |
| Director |
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| Preceded by | Ri Jae-il |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 September 1987 Pyongyang, North Korea |
| Political party | Workers' Party of Korea (since 2007) |
| Spouse |
Choe Song
(m. 2014) |
| Children | 2 (alleged) |
| Parents |
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| Relatives | Kim family |
| Alma mater | Kim Il Sung University |
| Signature |  |
| Korean name | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl |
김여정
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| Hancha |
金與正
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| Revised Romanization | Gim Yeojeong |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kim Yŏjŏng |
Kim Yo Jong (Hangul: 김여정; born 26 September 1987) is a North Korean politician and diplomat. She is the younger sister of North Korea's current leader, Kim Jong Un. She works as a Deputy Department Director in the Publicity and Information Department of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). Since September 2021, she has also been a member of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea.
From 2017 to 2019, and again from 2020 to 2021, Kim Yo Jong was an alternate member of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea. She is the youngest child of North Korea's second leader, Kim Jong Il. Some experts believe she could be a future leader of North Korea.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Kim Yo Jong is the youngest child of former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and his wife, Ko Yong Hui. Her birthdate is listed as September 26, 1987, by South Korean sources. The U.S. Treasury lists her birthdate as September 26, 1989. She was born in Pyongyang, North Korea.
Kim spent her early childhood at her mother's home with her brothers. From 1996 to 2000, she studied in Bern, Switzerland, at a public school. She used the name "Pak Mi-hyang" during this time. It is believed she became very close to her older brother, Kim Jong Un, while they were in Switzerland. After returning to Pyongyang, she earned a degree in computer science from Kim Il Sung University.
Beginning a Political Career
In 2007, Kim Yo Jong started working as a junior member of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). She may have worked under her father or her aunt, Kim Kyong-hui. In 2009 and 2010, she helped with her father's plans for his son to take over leadership. She also worked in the National Defense Commission.
Kim Yo Jong began to appear with her father in public events in March 2009. However, her presence was not widely noticed until September 2010. At that time, she was identified at a meeting of the Workers' Party of Korea.
First Public Appearances
Kim Yo Jong gained more attention during the funeral of Kim Jong Il in December 2011. She was seen with Kim Jong Un and other important officials. In early 2012, she reportedly managed her brother's public appearances. This included his travel plans, schedule, and security. She was not often in the news until November 2012. Then, state TV showed her with Kim Jong Un and her aunt at a military riding ground.
Becoming a Public Figure
Kim Yo Jong was first officially mentioned in North Korean state media in March 2014. She was with her brother when he voted for the Supreme People's Assembly. She was called a "senior official" of the WPK Central Committee.
In October 2014, reports said she took over some state duties for her brother. This happened while he was getting medical treatment. The next month, she became the First Deputy Director of the party's Propaganda and Agitation Department.
Leading the Propaganda Department
As a vice-director in the Propaganda and Agitation Department, Kim Yo Jong helps strengthen Kim Jong Un's power. She works on projects that promote his image. By July 2015, she was seen as the actual leader of the department. The official director, Kim Ki-nam, played a supporting role. She also holds a vice-minister position, but her exact duties are not fully known. She often joins Kim Jong Un on his official trips.
Many believe she is key to building her brother's public image. This image is similar to their grandfather, Kim Il Sung. Thae Yong-ho, a North Korean who used to be a diplomat, said in 2017 that Kim Yo Jong organized all major public events in North Korea. She encouraged her brother to appear as a "man of the people." For example, she suggested he ride fairground attractions and befriend basketball star Dennis Rodman.
In January 2017, the United States Department of the Treasury added her to a special list. This was due to claims of human rights abuses in North Korea.
Rising to the Politburo
In October 2017, Kim Yo Jong became an alternate member of the Politburo. She was only the second woman to join this important decision-making group. Her rise to this top body might mean she is replacing her aunt, Kim Kyong-hui. Kim Yo Jong is said to have a good relationship with her aunt. It was also suggested that her new role might put her in charge of the State Security Department.
Special Diplomatic Role
On February 9, 2018, Kim Yo Jong attended the 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Pyeongchang, South Korea. This was the first time a member of the ruling Kim family visited South Korea since the Korean War. She met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on February 10. She told him she was sent as a special messenger from Kim Jong Un. She also gave Moon a personal letter from her brother.
Later, Kim was part of her brother's team at the 2018 North Korea–United States Singapore Summit and the 2019 North Korea–United States Hanoi Summit. She continued to be involved in diplomatic matters. In March 2020, she made an official statement as the first deputy department director of the party. Experts believe her promotion and others show that Kim Jong Un is bringing in younger leaders.
Recent Activities
Kim Yo Jong was elected to the Supreme People's Assembly in the 2019 North Korean parliamentary election. In April 2019, she was briefly removed from the Politburo, but she was put back in April 2020. She was again left out of the Politburo chosen after the 8th Party Congress. On January 10, 2021, she was demoted from first deputy department director to deputy department director. However, some experts say her influence in the government has not changed.
In March 2021, Kim spoke out against virtual military exercises held in South Korea. She called them a "serious challenge." She also warned the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden. She said they should "refrain from causing a stink at its first step" if they wanted peace. Kim threatened to close organizations that work with South Korea. She said these actions had been reported to Kim Jong Un.
In September 2021, reports said Kim was promoted to be a member of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea. In September 2022, she responded to South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's offer of economic help. She told Yoon to "shut his mouth" and blamed South Korea for bringing COVID-19 to North Korea. She threatened to get back at South Korea if the virus returned.
In September 2023, Kim Yo Jong joined Kim Jong Un at a meeting in Russia with Russian President Vladimir Putin. She was seen with her brother as he signed a visitor book at Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Personal Life
In late 2014, reports said she married Choe Song. He is the second son of government official Choe Ryong-hae. Choe Song is believed to have studied at Kim Il Sung University with her. He might work for a special office of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) or a military unit. Kim Yo Jong reportedly had a child in May 2015. During the 2018 Winter Olympics, she was reported to have said she was pregnant.
At a New Year's performance on December 31, 2024, Kim Yo Jong was seen with two children, a boy and a girl. These children are believed to be hers. This was the first time she appeared with children in state media.
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See also
In Spanish: Kim Yo-jong para niños
- Politics of North Korea
- Women in North Korea
