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Kim Yo Jong

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Kim Yo Jong is a prominent politician and diplomat in North Korea. She holds several high-level positions within the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). She is the daughter of the former leader, Kim Jong Il. She is also the younger sister of the current supreme leader, Kim Jong Un. Her role involves managing important party departments and representing her brother in international affairs. Because of her family connections and her political work, she is a central figure in the North Korean government.

Donald Trump greets Kim Yo Jong in Singapore Summit
Donald Trump greets Kim Yo Jong in Singapore Summit

Her early life involved significant time spent abroad. She was born in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. While U.S. sources list her birth in 1989, South Korean sources state she was born in 1987. Between 1996 and 2000, she lived in Bern, Switzerland. She attended the Liebefeld-Steinhölzli public school under the name "Pak Mi-hyang." During this time, she reportedly built a close bond with her brother, Kim Jong Un. After returning to North Korea, she earned a degree in computer science from Kim Il Sung University.

Kim's political career began in 2007 when she became a junior cadre in the WPK. She worked closely with her father and his staff during his final years. In 2009 and 2010, she helped with the campaign for her father's hereditary succession. She also held roles in the National Defense Commission and her father's personal secretariat. By 2012, she was reportedly serving as a tour manager for her brother. In this role, she managed his schedules, logistics, and security arrangements.

2018 inter-Korean summit 02
2018 inter-Korean summit 02

She has held many powerful roles within the party's structure. In 2014, she was named a senior official of the WPK Central Committee. Shortly after, she became the First Deputy Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department. This department is responsible for "idolisation projects" to strengthen Kim Jong Un's power. Some analysts believe she was the driving force behind her brother's public image. She helped create a "man of the people" image for him through various public activities.

President Moon in PyeongChang 2018 opening ceremony-02
President Moon in PyeongChang 2018 opening ceremony-02

Kim has also moved into the highest levels of decision-making. In October 2017, she became an alternate member of the Politburo. This was a major milestone, as she was only the second woman to join this body. Her rise is seen by some experts as a generational change in the party. This change involves replacing older officials with younger, loyal members. In February 2026, she received a major promotion at the Ninth Party Congress. She became the director of the General Affairs Department of the WPK.

Donald Trump greets Kim Yo Jong in Singapore Summit
Donald Trump greets Kim Yo Jong in Singapore Summit

Diplomacy has been a key part of her public service. In February 2018, she attended the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. She traveled there as a special envoy for Kim Jong Un. This was a rare moment of contact between the ruling Kim family and South Korea. She also participated in the 2018 Singapore Summit and the 2019 Hanoi Summit. In these meetings, she worked alongside her brother to meet with U.S. leaders.

2018 inter-Korean summit 02
2018 inter-Korean summit 02

Her career has included moments of intense political tension. In 2017, the U.S. Treasury placed her on a list of sanctioned individuals. This was due to alleged human rights abuses in North Korea. In 2020, she was involved in the destruction of the Inter-Korean Liaison Office. She has also issued strong warnings to South Korea and the United States. In 2021, she criticized military drills and warned the U.S. administration. In 2022, she made sharp comments regarding South Korean leadership and COVID-19.

2018 inter-Korean summit 02
2018 inter-Korean summit 02

In recent years, Kim has continued to appear at major international events. In September 2023, she accompanied her brother to a summit in Russia. There, they met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Her presence at such high-level meetings shows her continued influence. Even when her official titles changed, many analysts believe her power remained steady. She remains a key figure in the leadership of the North Korean state.

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2018 inter-Korean summit 02.jpg
File:Donald Trump greets Kim Yo Jong in Singapore Summit.jpg
Donald Trump greets Kim Yo Jong in...
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