10 Extremely Strict Rules That Kim Jong- Un’s Wife Has To Follow

Kim Jong-un is Kim Jong-il’s son and the third family member to act as the Supreme Leader of North Korea. He is the most powerful person in North Korea. Usually, the First Ladies in many countries are also seen in dominant and influential spheres. Women like Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama were able to wield certain authority while they were the First Ladies. However, the same cannot be said about First Lady of North Korea, Ri Sol-ju. In fact her marriage and life is shrouded in complete secrecy, giving rise to stories of a medieval and traditionalist practices that she has been subjected to.

Here’s a list of 10 strict rules that the ‘Better Half’ of Kim Jong-un has to abide by:

1. Her marriage was a forced one

After suffering a stroke in 2008, Kim Jong-il (father of Kim Jong-un), a hawkish dictator, ordered Jong-un to get married to Ri Sol-ju. As is the case, it’s not possible to refuse a Dictator’s wish. Ri Sol-ju never had a choice and the two got married in 2009.

2. Take on a completely new name after marriage

As bizarre as it may sound, she had to take a completely new name after her marriage. Ri Sol-ju is the name she took after her marriage. This is the only name she is known by. Her birth name, date of birth and her past life have all been kept under wraps.

3. She is not allowed to meet her own family

It is said that Ri Sol-ju has not seen her parents for years since her marriage to Kim. It’s not that she comes from an obscure family in North Korea. In fact her parents are quite well known within the capital, and hence this comes out as quite shocking a restriction placed on her.

4. Her hair style and dress code is not by her choice anymore

Ri Sol-ju, in her early years of marriage, presented herself with a western touch by way of her dressing styles, wearing personalized broaches and her overall appearances and looks. However, over the years, all this has changed with her wardrobe undergoing a complete overhaul. It is now more traditional. It appears that she is a First Lady with little choice of expressing herself via her attires.

5. Her public appearances are restricted

Ri Sol-ju’s presence amongst the North Korean public has been very restricted and monitored. She is not allowed to be seen alone in public events. Her three kids have been kept away from public eyes, with no pictures of theirs ever been published, even in this age of Internet. These restrictions have kept the world from really knowing much about the First Lady.

6. She does not attend public functions or events

While in other countries, the First Lady is involved in many philanthropic works and public engagements, Ri Sol-ju is rarely seen occupied with such activities. Even the events where she should be accompanying her husband, Kim Jong-un chooses to take his sister or the top defence officials along with him.

7. She is not given coverage by the press

Freedom of Press is something which is completely missing in North Korea. Without Kim Jung-un’s direct permission, no one can take a photo of the First Lady or the family. Even on some occasions where she accompanies Kim, she is edited out of the pictures. The Press has never given her the due attention she deserves despite being the First Lady of the country.

8. She cannot leave North Korea

Before she got married to Kim, it is said that Ri Sol-ju had travelled abroad. It’s reported that she even studied in China and had visited South Korea as a cheerleader. However, ever since becoming the First Lady, she has not stepped outside of North Korea.

9. She was forced to hide her pregnancies

Ever since her marriage to the Dictator of North Korea, Ri Sol-ju has lived a very sheltered and secretive life. Even a cherished moment of her pregnancy was kept under wraps. Very few pictures of her being pregnant surfaced online. During each of her pregnancies, she disappeared from the limelight for months, with very little information coming out on her.

10. She was forced to have kids until she had a son

In today’s modern times, it seems North Korean Dictator still has medieval beliefs of having a male heir to the throne. Ri Sol-ju bore him two girls, but she was forced to keep giving birth till she gave him a son. Now with the third child being a boy, it should relive her from this obnoxious pressure.

An educated and graceful woman, Ri Sol-ju reflects a very poised and dignified image. It’s a shame that even though she is the First Lady of a country, she is hidden from the eyes of the public in today’s modern era.