Who is Kim Jo-yeon?
Born on September 26, 1987 in Pyongyang, North Korea, her official name is Kim Yo-jong. She is the youngest daughter of the late Kim Jong-il and his wife Ko Yong-hui, and the younger sister of the current North Korean Prime Minister Kim Jong-un.
Kim Jo Yong is the youngest son of former prime minister Kim Jong Il and his wife Go Yong Ho. Source: AP
Kim Yang-yong was educated in Switzerland along with her brother, before returning to North Korea and earning a degree in computer science from Kim Il Sung University. Her political rise began when she was appointed a junior official in the Workers’ Party of Korea in 2007. She rose quickly through the ranks, becoming an alternate member of the Politburo and serving as deputy director of the Workers’ Party’s Propaganda and Publicity Department.
Since Kim Jong Un came to power, he has played a more visible role in national politics, working hard to cultivate his image and representing North Korea at various diplomatic events, including the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. His public appearances and political involvement have fueled speculation about his influence within the North Korean government and his possible succession as Kim Jong Un’s successor.
In September 2021, Kim Jo Yong was appointed a member of North Korea’s State Affairs Commission, solidifying her status as one of the country’s most influential figures. Despite her powerful position, shrouded in regime secrecy, details about Kim Jo Yong’s private life remain unknown. She is believed to be married to Choe Song, the son of a prominent North Korean official, and is rumored to have two children. Her family connections and political pedigree place her at the center of the Kim dynasty, which has ruled North Korea since its founding.
Kim Jong Un’s rise to power reflects North Korea’s dynastic politics, where power often runs within families. Her father, Kim Jong Il, succeeded his own father, Kim Il Sung, as the country’s founding leader. Now, with her health and leadership under scrutiny, the world is watching with keen interest to see whether she will carry on the family tradition.
Kim Jong Un’s recent activities, such as making public statements on behalf of the government and taking on more responsibilities within the Workers’ Party of Korea, suggest that her political influence is growing. While North Korea remains opaque about its succession plans, Kim Jong Un’s influence in national politics cannot be ignored.
As North Korea figures out its future, Kim Jo-yeon stands at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, embodying the possibilities for continuity and change in an enigmatic, closed nation. It is unclear whether she will take on her brother’s position, but her current trajectory suggests she will play a key role in shaping the nation’s destiny.
