Kim Jong-un's Soulmate Revealed to the World

August 03, 2012 from LinkAsia

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's wife, Ri Sol-ju, was introduced to the public this past week, notably during a day when the Supreme Leader and his lady strolled around Pyongyang's new amusement park. South Korean broadcaster MBC has the goods on the woman behind the man.

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Kim Jong-un

Kim Jong-un —also romanised as Kim Jong-eun, Kim Jong Un or Kim Jung-eun—is the supreme leader of North Korea, the son of Kim Jong-il and the grandson of Kim Il-sung. He has held the titles of the First Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, the Chairman of the Central Mili... Explore this topic

Wife

A wife is a female lifetime partner in a continuing marital relationship. A wife may also be referred to as a spouse. The term continues to be applied to a woman who has separated from her husband and ceases to be applied to such a woman only when her marriage has come to an e... Explore this topic

North Korea

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly called North Korea, is a country in East Asia, in the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital is Pyongyang, the country's largest city by both land area and population. The Amnok River and the Tumen River form the ... Explore this topic

Amusement park

Amusement parks and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions, rides, and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people. An amusement park is more elaborate than a simple city park or playground, usually providing attractions mean... Explore this topic

Pyongyang

Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River and, according to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, has a population of 3,255... Explore this topic

South Korea

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a sovereign state located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. The name "Korea" is derived from Goryeo, a dynasty which ruled in the Middle Ages. Its neighbors are China to the west, Japan to the east, and North Korea ... Explore this topic

Korean Central News Agency

The Korean Central News Agency is the state news agency of North Korea that was established on December 5, 1946. The agency portrays the putative views of the Workers' Party of Korea and the North Korean government for foreign consumption. KCNA is headquartered in the capital ... Explore this topic

LinkAsia

From Beijng to Tokyo, from Seoul to New Delhi and beyond, LinkAsia takes viewers into media about Asia -- from Asia -- offering unfiltered insight into one of the most diverse, fast-paced regions of the globe. Each week, LinkAsia brings you a unique half-hour program that co... Explore this topic

Yul Kwon

Yul Kwon is an American television host and former government official, lawyer, and management consultant based in Virginia. He first gained national recognition as the winner of the reality TV show Survivor: Cook Islands in 2006. He is currently hosting the TV series America ... Explore this topic

Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation

MBC is one of four major national South Korean television and radio networks, and is the oldest among all commercial broadcasting networks in South Korea. Munhwa is the Korean word for "culture". Its flagship terrestrial television station is Channel 11 for Digital. Twice gove... Explore this topic

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Transcript

Yul Kwon:
And now, big news from North Korea. It turns out that the country's Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-un, is married. We didn't even know he was dating. And according to South Korean broadcaster MBC, his new wife's got talent.

Kim Se-jin, Reporter:
This is Ri Sol-ju in July 2005, welcoming South Korean visitors to a performance at the Kum Song School of Music in Pyongyang. She stood out in her distinguishable dress.

Ri Sol-ju:
Let's unify our mother country and meet again passionately, enthusiastically.

Kim Se-jin, Reporter:
Two years later, as a representative of the school, she greeted foreign correspondents wearing a red-colored traditional costume. A person concerned with North Korea, who met Ri three times, recalls her as a bright and friendly student.

On July 27th, Ri appeared again in public when she attended the anniversary of North Korea's victory in the war, meaning the anniversary of the Korean War armistice. North Korean media broadcasted her appearance.

North Korea has presented its first lady to the public for three consecutive days. Recently, Kim Jong-un was also shown enjoying the rides showing a big smile. The intent is to show an image of Kim as a young and personable new leader, with a 23-year-old wife, Ri.

Lim Eul-chul, Kyungnam University:
As I've observed Kim's activities, his wife Ri will have an unprecedented role in culture and foreign affairs, like the first lady in democratic nations.

Kim Se-jin, Reporter:
But some experts are skeptical about whether Kim's political image will lead to opening-up and reform, which would interfere with the constraints of Juche, or self-reliance, and the "First Military" policy.

Yul Kwon:
According to South Korea's National Intelligence Service, the couple was actually married back in 2009. And there are rumors that they already have a 3-year-old child.

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