12 Unknown Facts About Kim Yo-jong, Who Could Be Possible Successor In North Korea

Ever since the death rumours of the North Korean leader has been doing rounds on the internet, another face became the most talked about. It’s none other than the Kim Jong-un sister of Kim Yo-jong.

Kim Jong-un was last seen in media on April 11, 2020. His disappearance has sparked speculations among world media. Word of mouth was also there that he was isolating for fears of prevalent deadly disease Coronavirus while some say that he is suffering from serious illness. There is no credible report to confirm whether Kim Jong-un has died, but the hashtag #KimJongUnDead is already trending on social media these days. Recently, Kim Jong-un’s special family train was spotted parked at the leadership station reserved for the Kim’s family on April 21.

Here’s a little rewind for the uninitiated. The Kim family has ruled North Korea ever since its inception in 1948, when the Soviet and the U.S. divided control over Korean Peninsula. Kim Jong-il ruled the country since the foundation till he died in 2011. Kim Jong-un succeeded his father after his death. He was in his early 20s when he took up the throne. Now, as Kim Jong-un’s deteriorating health has become a cause of concern for North Korea, Kim Yo-jong stands as the most promising alternate to him.

With the death rumours spreading like wildfire, all the eyes are set on Kim Jong-un’s sister Kim Yo-jong, who is most likely to be the successor in North Korea. Here are some facts about Kim Yo-jong:

1. Kim Yo-jong’s age is unknown to anyone, courtesy the secrecy North Korean’s royal family maintains.

It is believed that she must be in her early 30s. According to Wikipedia her date of birth is 26 September 1987.

2. Kim Yo-jong joined her brother in primary school in Berne, Switzerland.

They both lived in a private home with bodyguards.

Kim Yo Jong as a girl: this is the earliest photo we have of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sister, taken while she was at school in Switzerland. pic.twitter.com/LrDFgGBzdt

— Anna Fifield (@annafifield) February 8, 2018

3. According to the reports, Yo-jong was her father’s Kim Jong-il’s favourite.

He ruled the country from 1994 to 2011.

Kim Yo Jong’s first recorded public appearance: The North Korean princess appeared among the mourners at her father’s funeral at the end of 2011. pic.twitter.com/GWPw4dgbZU

— Anna Fifield (@annafifield) February 8, 2018

4. Kim Yo-jong is reportedly married to Choe Song.

Choe Song is the son of one of the secretive state’s most powerful officials.

5. Like other North Korean officials, she was blacklisted by the U.S. Treasury Department in 2017.

The reason is severe human rights abuses.

6. She has a reputation for being supportive towards North Korea’s oppressive and regressive propaganda.

She is one among the officials who have worked to ensure rigid censorship policies in the country.

7. According to an analyst, Kim Yo-jung has 90% possibility to take the seat of North Korean leader after Kim Jong-un’s death.

8. Kim Yo-jong may have to compete with her brother Kim Jong-chul for power.

However, her brother has already been passed over by their father when Kim Jong-un was selected to rule North Korea.

9. Kim Yo-jong is also touted as the Ivanka Trump of North Korea by western media.

For being always by her brother’s side.

10. Kim Yo-jong rose to fame after her appearance at 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

She served as a delegate and sat alongside South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

11. Kim Yo-jong was named as alternate member of the Politburo, recently in April 2020.

This is a sign of her growing power. Politburo is the principal policy making committee of a communist party.

12. Kim Yo-jong could become the first female ruler of North Korea.

If the reports are true and Kim-Yo Jong indeed becomes the ruler of North Korea, she would the country’s first female ruler since her grandfather Kim Il-sung founded the nation in 1948.

Other members of Kim family are younger; less experienced or are not interested in North Korean politics. Kim Jong-un’s brother Kim Jong-chol is interesting in following his passion in music and has no plans of joining the politics back in North Korea.