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North Korea's Kim Jong-un marries North Korea's Kim Jong-un marries
(about 2 hours later)
North Korea's youthful leader Kim Jong-un has married, state broadcasters announced late on Wednesday. North Korea's youthful leader, Kim Jong-un, has married, state broadcasters announced.
The statement followed extensive speculation about the identity of a young woman repeatedly pictured with Kim in recent weeks – who had been variously identified as his wife, sister or possibly a married singer he was rumoured to have romanced. A young woman has been pictured with Kim at a concert, mausoleum and kindergarten in recent weeks – sparking extensive speculation as to whether she was his girlfriend, wife, sister or a married singer he was rumoured to have romanced. If she is, as assumed, the country's first lady, she appears to have taken to her new duties zealously.
State radio announced that he had attended the completion ceremony of an amusement park with his wife, Comrade Ri Sol-ju, according to Voice of America. It is not clear when the pair married. State radio announced late on Wednesday that he had attended the completion ceremony of an amusement park with "his wife, Comrade Ri Sol-ju". It is not clear when the pair married and there have previously been claims that Kim had a wife and children.
Kim became leader following the death of his father Kim Jong-il late last December and took the top military rank of marshal this month – days after the sudden departure of army chief Ri Yong-ho – in a symbolic cementing of his status. A singer with the same name has starred in several concerts in the past – in one case, performing a song with the apt title Do Not Ask My Name. But she is not the singer previously rumoured to have been his companion, Hyun Song-wol, known for her hit Excellent Horse-like Lady.
Professor Hazel Smith, an expert on North Korea at Cranfield University, said: "It looks as if they have been following a very systematic sequence of events." Kim is thought to be 27 or 28 and his wife also appears to be in her twenties or early thirties. The early unveiling of the relationship is unusual. John Delury, of Yonsei University, said: "Both his father and grandfather kept their partners behind the curtain to a great extent. But Jimmy Carter met Kim Il-sung's wife and they were photographed together. It's not like it was a state secret."
Earlier, the South Korea's unification minister, Yu Woo-ik, had said that the woman repeatedly shown with him "appears to be his wife", AFP reported, although he did not indicate why he thought so. Delury suggested the move might in part reflect a different style of presentation. Kim has been photographed smiling and hugging children, and Pyongyang appears to have been somewhat bolder in making announcements recently.
Kim became leader following the death of his father, Kim Jong-il, late last year and took the top military rank of marshal earlier this month – days after the sudden departure of the army chief, Ri Yong-ho – in a symbolic cementing of his status.
Professor Hazel Smith, an expert on North Korea at Cranfield University, said: "It looks as if they have been following a very systematic sequence of events." She said that the marriage's announcement might be intended to imply maturity. Kim is thought to be in his late twenties and his wife appears to be roughly the same age. But Smith added that it was also a more straightforward relationship to publicise than those of his father and grandfather.
Kim Jong-il's mother, Kim Jong-suk, died in 1949 and was lauded as a hero in propaganda – leaving little room for Kim Il-sung's second wife. Kim Jong-il had children with several women and is not thought to have married Kim Jong-un's mother, Ko Young-hui, although he is said to have loved her the most.
North Korea now appears to be building up Ko's image as it promotes its new leader, with a new documentary – seen by the Wall Street Journal and others – showing her with Kim Jong-il as well as with their son.
The mystery woman was first seen sitting next to Kim at a concert in Pyongyang on 6 July – her prized position making it clear she was a significant figure. The state news agency KCNA published pictures of them at the amusement park on Tuesday, reporting that Kim had praised the mini golf course and wading pool. But it did not mention his marriage and the list of those who had accompanied him did not include Ri's name.