Kim Yo Jong is a prominent North Korean politician and diplomat. She is the younger sister of the current Supreme Leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un.
In the Workers’ Party of Korea, she serves as Deputy Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department. Since September 2021, Kim Yo Jong has been appointed as a member of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, becoming the only woman to serve in this top governing body of the country.
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- Full name: Kim Yo Jong
- Stage name: Kim Yo Jong
- Date of birth: September 26, 1987
- Age: 36 years old
- Place of birth: Pyongyang, North Korea
- Nationality: Korean
- Occupation: Politician
- Height: 1.63m
- Parents: Kim Jong Il and Ko Yong-hui
- Siblings: Kim Jong Un, Kim Jong-nam, Kim Jong-chul, Kim Sol-song and Kim Hye-kyung
- Spouse: Unknown
- Children: 1
- Relationship status: Married
- Net worth: Unknown
Early life and education
Kim Yo Jong was born on September 26, 1987, in Pyongyang, North Korea. She is the youngest child of former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and his wife, Ko Yong-hui. Kim Yo Jong grew up with her five siblings, including Kim Jong Un, Kim Jong-nam, Kim Jong-chul, Kim Sol-song, and Kim Hye-kyung.
As a child, Kim Yo Jong attended the Liebefeld-Steinholzli public school in Bern, Switzerland, with her brothers, under the assumed name “Pak Mi-hyang.” After returning to Pyongyang, she completed a degree in computer science at Kim Il Sung University. Kim Yo Jong is ethnically Korean and her religion is unknown.
Career
Kim Yo Jong’s political career began in 2007 when she was appointed as a junior official in the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), possibly working under her father or aunt. In 2009 and 2010, she was active in setting up her father’s hereditary succession campaign, working in the National Defense Commission and in her father’s personal secretariat.
Beginning in March 2009, she joined a group of close aides and family members who were often seen alongside her father in public appearances, although her presence was rarely noticed until September 2010. As deputy director of the department, Kim was responsible for “supporting Kim Jong-un’s consolidation of power” by carrying out “idolatrous projects”.
By July 2015, reports described her as the de facto head of the department, with nominal director Kim Ki-nam acting in a supporting role. She also held the title of vice minister, although her specific portfolio is unknown. Kim frequently accompanied Kim Jong Un on his “field guidance” trips.
In October 2017, Kim Yo Jong was elected as an alternate member of the Politburo, becoming the second woman to be appointed to this decision-making body. She was elected to the Supreme People’s Assembly in the 2019 North Korean parliamentary elections, representing Kallingal.
In April 2019, she was briefly removed from the Politburo before being reinstated in April 2020. In September 2023, Kim Yo Jong accompanied Kim Jong Un to a summit in Russia with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where she was seen signing the guest book with him at the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Social media
- Instagram name: (@kimyojong_official_dprk)
Personal life
Kim Yo Jong, the younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, is believed to be married. In late 2014, she reportedly married Choe Song, the second son of government official Choe Ryong-hae. In May 2015, Kim Yo Jong was said to have given birth to a child, although details about her child have not been made public.
Net worth
Kim Yo Jong is currently the first vice director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and a member of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Despite her significant political influence and position within the North Korean government, details about Kim Yo Jong’s net worth and financial situation remain unknown to the media.
