{{Short description|North Korean politician (born 1987)}} {{Family name hatnote|Kim||lang=Korean}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_suffix = | name = Kim Yo Jong | image = Kim Yo-jong (2018).png | image_size = | caption = Kim in 2018 | alt = | office = Director of the General Affairs Department of the Workers' Party of Korea | term_start = 28 February 2026 | term_end = | 1blankname = {{nowrap|General Secretary}} | 1namedata = Kim Jong Un | predecessor = | successor = | office2 = Deputy Director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department | term_start2 = 28 November 2014 | term_end2 = 23 February 2026 | 1blankname2 = {{nowrap|General Secretary}} | 1namedata2 = Kim Jong Un | 2blankname2 = Director | 2namedata2 = {{ubl|Kim Ki-nam|Pak Kwang-ho|Ri Il-hwan}} | predecessor2 = Ri Jae-il | successor2 = | office3 = Member of the State Affairs Commission | term_start3 = 30 September 2021 | term_end3 = 22 March 2026 | president3 = Kim Jong Un | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|9|26|df=y}} | birth_place = Pyongyang, North Korea | party = Workers' Party of Korea (since 2007) | spouse = {{marriage|Choe Song|2014}} | children = 2 | relatives = Kim family | alma_mater = Kim Il Sung University | parents = {{ubl|Kim Jong Il|Ko Yong-hui}} | signature = Signature of Kim Yo-jong.svg | signature_alt = Signature of Kim Yo-jong | module = {{Infobox Korean name/auto|child=yes | hangul = %김여정 | hanja = 金與正 | hanjaref = <ref>{{cite web |script-title=ko:문재인 대통령이 2월 10일 청와대를 방문한 김여정 북한 노동당 중앙위 제1부부장에게서 김정은 노동당 위원장의 친서를 받았다. |url=https://jmagazine.joins.com/art_print.php?art_id=320051 |access-date=3 October 2023 |archive-date=21 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021090155/https://jmagazine.joins.com/art_print.php?art_id=320051 |url-status=dead }}</ref> }} }}
'''Kim Yo Jong'''{{efn|Also transliterated as '''Kim Yo-jong'''.<!--Alternative transliteration-->}} ({{Korean|hangul=김여정}};<ref name=nkinfo/> born 26 September 1987) is a North Korean politician and diplomat, and sister of WPK General Secretary Kim Jong Un. As of February 2026 she is the director of the General Affairs Department of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). This high-level appointment occurred during the first plenary meeting of the 9th Central Committee, held alongside the Ninth Party Congress in Pyongyang. Since March 2026, she has also been serving as an alternate member of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea. Between September 2021 and March 2026, she was a member of State Affairs Commission of North Korea.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Kim Yo Jong loses State Affairs Commission seat as Kim Jong Un reshapes North Korea’s 15th-term leadership|url=https://www.dailynk.com/english/kim-yo-jong-loses-state-affairs-commission-seat-as-kim-jong-un-reshapes-north-koreas-15th-term-leadership/|work=Daily NK|author=Jung Kyo-jin|date=2026-03-26}}</ref>
She served as an alternate member of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea from 2017 to 2019, and again from 2020 to 2021. Kim is the youngest child of North Korea's second supreme leader Kim Jong Il and the younger sister of Kim Jong Un, the current supreme leader and WPK General Secretary.<ref name="nikkeiasian">{{cite web |title=Kim Jong Un's sister fans flames of inter-Korean tensions|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/N-Korea-at-crossroads/Kim-Jong-Un-s-sister-fans-flames-of-inter-Korean-tensions |website=Nikkei Asian Review |access-date=16 June 2020 |date=16 June 2020}}</ref><ref name="hindustantimeskimyojong">{{cite web |title=North Korea's Kim Jong Un in coma, sister Kim Yo-jong to take over: Reports|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/north-korea-s-kim-jong-un-in-coma-sister-kim-yo-jong-to-take-over-reports/story-9HaznCncdJ9iK9yoiI1FqM.html|website=Hindustan Times |access-date=26 August 2020|date=24 August 2020}}</ref>
==Early life== Kim Yo Jong is the youngest child of former North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Il and his second mistress, Ko Yong-hui.<ref name=leaderwatch>{{cite news|url=http://www.nkleadershipwatch.org/kim-yo-jong-2/|title=Kim Yo Jong|work=North Korea Leadership Watch|access-date=2 May 2020}}</ref> The U.S. Treasury lists her birthdate as 26 September 1989,<ref>{{cite web |title=North Korea Designations |url=https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20170111.aspx |publisher=U.S. Department of the Treasury |access-date=2 May 2020 |date=1 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206113836/https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20170111.aspx|archive-date=6 February 2017}}</ref> while South Korean sources place her birth on 26 September 1987.<ref name=leaderwatch/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lim |first1=Andy |title=Impact Player: Kim Yo-Jong |url=https://www.csis.org/analysis/impact-player-kim-yo-jong |publisher=Center for Strategic and International Studies |access-date=2 May 2020 |date=25 March 2014}}</ref> Born in Pyongyang,<ref name=nkinfo>{{Cite web |script-title=ko:김여정(여성)|script-work=ko:북한정보포털|publisher=Ministry of Unification|access-date=6 March 2021 |url=https://nkinfo.unikorea.go.kr/nkp/theme/viewPeople.do?nkpmno=42249 |language=ko }}</ref> she spent most of her early childhood at her mother's residence, growing up alongside her siblings.<ref name=leaderwatch/> Between 1996 and December 2000, Kim studied with her elder brothers at the Liebefeld-Steinhölzli public school in Bern, Switzerland, under the assumed name "Pak Mi-hyang".<ref name = "wapo">{{cite news |last1=Fifeld |first1=Anna |title=Who is Kim Yo Jong? Here's what we know about the North Korean 'princess.' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/02/08/who-is-kim-yo-jong-heres-what-we-know-about-the-north-korean-princess/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=2 May 2020 |date=8 February 2018}}</ref> During this time, she is believed to have developed a close relationship with her brother and future leader, Kim Jong Un.<ref name="dw.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/kim-yo-jong-who-is-the-north-korean-leaders-mysterious-sister/a-40862677|title=Kim Yo Jong: Who is the North Korean leader's mysterious sister? |date= 8 October 2017|website=DW.COM|language=en|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="national">{{cite web |last1=Harry J. |first1=Kazianis |title=Meet Kim Yo-jong: North Korea's Most Powerful Woman |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/korea-watch/meet-kim-yo-jong-north-korea%27s-most-powerful-woman-68902 |website=The National Interest |access-date=2 May 2020 |date=24 July 2019}}</ref> After returning to Pyongyang, she completed a degree in computer science at Kim Il Sung University.<ref name="guardian">{{cite web |last1=McCurry |first1=Justin |date=19 April 2020 |title=Kim Yo-jong: the sister of Kim Jong-un, fast 'becoming his alter ego' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/20/kim-yo-jong-the-sister-of-kim-jong-un-fast-becoming-his-alter-ego |website=The Guardian |access-date=29 September 2021}}</ref>
==Political career== In 2007, Kim was appointed as a junior cadre in the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), possibly working under her father or her aunt, Kim Kyong-hui.<ref name="leaderwatch" /> In 2009 and 2010, she was active in establishing her father's hereditary succession campaign, also working in the National Defense Commission and in her father's personal secretariat.<ref name="leaderwatch" /> Beginning in March 2009, she joined a group of close aides and family members that appeared at her father's side in his public appearances,<ref name="leaderwatch" /> but her presence was rarely noted until September 2010, when she was identified among participants at the 3rd Conference of the WPK.<ref name="leaderwatch" />
===Anonymous public appearances=== Kim Yo Jong received much publicity during the funeral service for Kim Jong Il in December 2011, appearing alongside Kim Jong Un and leading groups of senior party officials in bowing at her father's casket.<ref name = "wapo" /> At the beginning of 2012, she was reportedly given a position at the National Defence Commission as tour manager for her brother,<ref>{{cite news |last=Gil |first=Yun-hyung |url=http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/596633.html |title=Kim Jong-un's younger sister reportedly managing events in North Korea |work=The Hankyoreh |date=22 July 2013 |access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref> arranging his itineraries, schedule, logistical needs, and security arrangements. She did not appear in news reports of the time except in November 2012, when the Korean Central Television showed her accompanying Kim Jong Un and her aunt at a military riding ground.<ref>{{cite news |location=South Korea |url= https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20121121007600325 |title=North Korea Newsletter No. 237 |work=Yonhap News Agency |date=22 November 2012 |access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref>
===Public recognition=== Kim received her first official mention in state media in March 2014, when she accompanied her brother in voting for the Supreme People's Assembly. She was named a "senior official" of the WPK Central Committee.<ref>{{cite news|location=North Korea (site in Japan) |url=http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2014/201403/news09/20140309-19ee.html |title=Kim Jong Un Visits Kim Il Sung University of Politics and Takes Part in Election of Deputy to SPA |agency=Korean Central News Agency |date=9 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310111435/http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2014/201403/news09/20140309-19ee.html |archive-date=10 March 2014 }}</ref> In October 2014, she was reported to have taken over state duties for her brother while he underwent medical treatment.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.ibtimes.com/has-kim-yo-jong-taken-over-kim-jong-un-sister-assumes-north-korea-state-duties-while-1698550 |title=Has Kim Yo-Jong Taken Over For Kim Jong Un? Sister Assumes North Korea State Duties While Brother Undergoes Medical Treatment |date=2 October 2014|access-date=3 October 2014|work=International Business Times|last=Silva |first=Cristina}}</ref> The next month, she was appointed First Deputy Director of the party's Propaganda and Agitation Department.<ref name="dw.com"/>
[[File:President Moon in PyeongChang 2018 opening ceremony-02.jpg|thumb|Kim Yo Jong (far right, upper row) standing next to Kim Yong-nam (chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly), South Korean President Moon Jae-in and his wife, and U.S. Vice President Mike Pence at the 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony]]
===Leadership of the Propaganda and Agitation Department=== In her role as vice-director at the department, Kim is responsible for "assisting in consolidating Kim Jong-un's power" by implementing "idolisation projects".<ref name = "guard">{{cite news |location=UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/24/kim-jong-un-sister-promoted-north-korea |first=Lee Sang |last=Yong |title=Kim Jong-un's sister promoted to run 'idolisation projects' in North Korea |work=The Guardian |date=24 July 2015 |access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref> In July 2015, reports described her as playing the role of ''de facto'' leader of the department, with nominal director Kim Ki-nam in a supporting role.<ref name = "guard" /><ref>{{Cite web | title = Kim Yo Jong in de facto power of PAD | author = Lee Sang Yong | work=Daily NK | date = 20 July 2015 | access-date = 28 May 2018 | url = http://english.dailynk.com/english/read.php?num=13352&cataId=nk01500 | archive-date = 28 April 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200428000839/http://english.dailynk.com/english/read.php?num=13352&cataId=nk01500 | url-status = dead }}</ref> She also holds a vice-ministerial post, but her portfolio is not known.<ref name="engl_TheC"/> She regularly accompanies Kim Jong Un on his "field guidance" trips.<ref name=afp>{{cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/n-koreas-kim-jong-un-executed-15-top-090014485.html |title=N. Korea's Kim Jong-un executed 15 top officials: S. Korea spy agency |work=Yahoo! News|agency=AFP |date=29 April 2015|access-date=29 April 2015}}</ref>
[[File:2018 inter-Korean summit 02.jpg|thumb|Talks inside the Peace House in April 2018]] She has been said to be the driving force behind the development of her brother's cult of personality, modeled after that of their grandfather, Kim Il Sung.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.38north.org/2015/08/mmadden081415/|title=North Korea's New Propagandist?|date=14 August 2015|work=38 North|access-date=9 October 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> Thae Yong-ho, a North Korean defector and former diplomat, said in 2017 that Kim Yo Jong organized all major public events in North Korea. She was said to have encouraged her brother to present an image of a "man of the people" with, for example, rides on fairground attractions and his friendship with basketball star Dennis Rodman.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/sister-helps-kim-strut-his-stuff-as-key-missile-test-looms-jjf8gdvzk|title=Sister helps Kim strut his stuff as key missile test looms|last=Sherwell|first=Phillip|date=8 January 2017|newspaper=The Times|access-date=30 April 2020|language=en|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name=Guardian171009>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/09/kim-yo-jong-sister-brains-behind-kim-jong-uns-image|title=Meet Kim Yo-jong, the sister who is the brains behind Kim Jong-un's image|last=McCurry|first=Justin|date=9 October 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=30 April 2020|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
In January 2017, she was placed on the United States Department of the Treasury's Specially Designated Nationals List in response to alleged human rights abuses in North Korea.<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Tim |last1=Ahmann |first2=Eric |last2=Walsh |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-northkorea-sanctions/u-s-slaps-sanctions-on-seven-north-koreans-two-dprk-entities-idUSKBN14V2HS|title=U.S. blacklists North Korean officials over rights abuses|date= 11 January 2017|work=Reuters|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref>
===Ascension to the Politburo=== In October 2017, Kim Yo Jong was made an alternate member of the Politburo,<ref>{{cite news |first=James |last=Pearson |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-missiles-kim/kim-jong-un-praises-nuclear-program-promotes-sister-to-center-of-power-idUSKBN1CD03V|title=Kim Jong Un praises nuclear program, promotes sister to center of power|work=Reuters|date=8 October 2017|access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref> only the second woman to be appointed to this decision-making body.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/kims-sister-act-the-rapid-ascent-of-north-koreas-new-top-aide-1518181299|title=Behind the Rapid Rise of Kim Jong Un's Younger Sister|last=Gale|first=Alastair|date=9 February 2018|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=30 April 2020|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660|url-access=subscription}}</ref> As previously speculated,<ref>{{cite news |location=United Kingdom |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/10499642/Kim-Jong-un-preparing-to-purge-aunt.html |first=Julian |last=Ryall |title=Kim Jong-un 'preparing to purge aunt' |work=The Telegraph |date=6 December 2013 |access-date=30 April 2020 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> her ascension to the country's supreme governing body may indicate that she is Kim Jong Un's replacement for his aunt, Kim Kyong-hui (with whom Kim Yo Jong is said to have a good relationship),<ref name="kji-youngest">{{cite news|url=http://nkleadershipwatch.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/kji-youngest-daughter-working-as-events-manager-for-kju/|title=KJI Youngest Daughter Working as Events Manager for KJU?|work=North Korea Leadership Watch|date=22 July 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222045126/http://nkleadershipwatch.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/kji-youngest-daughter-working-as-events-manager-for-kju/|archive-date=22 December 2013}}</ref> who has not played an active role in his regime.<ref name=Guardian171009/> It has also been hinted that her newly assigned position would also put her in charge of the State Security Department.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Myong-song |last=Kim |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2018/01/25/2018012501295.html#top|title=Kim Jong-un 'Puts Sister in Charge of State Security'|date=25 January 2018|work=The Chosun Ilbo|language=en|access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref>
===Special envoy of Kim Jong Un=== [[File:Donald Trump greets Kim Yo Jong in Singapore Summit.jpg|thumb|Kim with her brother meeting U.S. President Donald Trump at the 2018 Singapore Summit]] On 9 February 2018, Kim attended the 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Pyeongchang, South Korea. This was the first time since the Korean War that a member of the ruling Kim family had visited South Korea.<ref name="theg_USvi">{{Cite web | title = US vice-president skips Olympics dinner in snub to North Korea officials | last = Haas | first = Benjamin | work = the Guardian | date = 9 February 2018 | access-date = 9 February 2018 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/09/kim-jong-uns-sister-arrives-in-south-korea-for-winter-olympics}}</ref> She met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on 10 February and revealed that she was dispatched as a special envoy of Kim Jong Un. She also delivered a personally written letter from Kim to Moon.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2018/02/103_243936.html|title=South Korean president invited to North Korea|date=10 February 2018|work=The Korea Times|access-date=11 February 2018}}</ref> Kim was later part of her brother's team during the 2018 North Korea–United States Singapore Summit<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/kim-jong-un-meets-pm-lee-ahead-of-trump-kim-summit-10414948 |title=Kim Jong Un meets PM Lee ahead of Trump-Kim summit |publisher=Channel News Asia |date=10 June 2018 |access-date=30 April 2020 |archive-date=10 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910140826/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/kim-jong-un-meets-pm-lee-ahead-of-trump-kim-summit-10414948 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the 2019 North Korea–United States Hanoi Summit. Her involvement in diplomatic affairs continued as she issued an official statement in March 2020 from her capacity as first deputy department director of the party.<ref name="statement">{{Cite web |title=Kim Jong Un sister's first official remarks hint at higher status |work=Al Jazeera |date=3 March 2020 |access-date=13 April 2020 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/kim-jong-sister-official-remarks-hint-higher-status-200304024330626.html}}</ref>
According to Kim Yong-hyun, a professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University in Seoul, and others, the promotion of Kim Yo Jong and others is a sign that "the Kim Jong Un regime has ended its coexistence with the remnants of the previous Kim Jong Il regime by carrying out a generational replacement in the party's key elite posts".<ref name=Guardian171009/> Tom O'Connor of ''Newsweek'' echoed this opinion, writing that Kim Yo Jong's rise to power was part of Kim Jong Un's overall plan to appoint younger people in place of his father's older elites who may have harboured doubts about the younger Kim Jong Un's ability to lead North Korea.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsweek.com/who-kim-yo-jong-kim-jong-un-sister-becoming-north-korea-most-powerful-woman-802439|title=Who is Kim Jong Un's sister? Kim Yo Jong is becoming North Korea's most powerful woman|last=O'Connor|first=Tom|date=9 February 2018|work=Newsweek|access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref>
===Activities since 2019=== Kim was elected to the Supreme People's Assembly during the 2019 North Korean parliamentary election,<ref name="NorthKoreaElection">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47535658|title=North Korea election: Surprise as leader Kim Jong-un 'not on ballot|work=BBC News|date=12 March 2019|access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref> representing Kallimgil.<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=ko:북 김정은, 최고인민회의 대의원 처음 빠져: (추가) 북 언론, 687명 대의원 명단 발표...당 부위원장들 포함 (명단) |author=Jo Jung-hoon |work=Tongil News |date=12 March 2019 |access-date=18 March 2019 |url= http://www.tongilnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=128110 |language=ko }}</ref> In April of the same year, she was briefly removed from the Politburo, before being reinstated in April 2020.<ref name="KYJreinstated">{{Cite news|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200412000553325 |title=(3rd LD) N.K. leader holds politburo meeting to discuss anti-virus measures |last=Koh |first=Byung-joon |agency=Yonhap News Agency|access-date=13 April 2020}}</ref> She was excluded again from the Politburo elected after the 8th Party Congress and demoted from the first deputy department director to deputy department director on 10 January 2021.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Hyung-jin Kim |title=Demoted? Pushed aside? Fate of Kim Jong Un's sister unclear |url=https://apnews.com/article/kim-yo-jong-north-korea-39b37a67d2fad24f6be3cbaa42fb051f |website=AP News |access-date=18 February 2021 |language=English |date=13 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Jeongmin Kim |title='Top-class idiots': Why a demoted Kim Yo Jong still has the power to slam Seoul |url=https://www.nknews.org/2021/01/top-class-idiots-why-a-demoted-kim-yo-jong-still-has-the-power-to-slam-seoul/ |website=NK News |access-date=20 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114053648/https://www.nknews.org/2021/01/top-class-idiots-why-a-demoted-kim-yo-jong-still-has-the-power-to-slam-seoul/ |archive-date=14 January 2021| language=English |date=14 January 2021}}</ref><ref name="KYJexcluded">{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-politics/mixed-signals-for-nkorean-leaders-sister-as-kim-seeks-to-cement-power-idUSKBN29F0OD |title=Mixed signals for N.Korean leader's sister as Kim seeks to cement power |first=Hyonhee |last=Shih |work=Reuters|access-date=11 January 2021}}</ref> But some commentators and analysts say her influence in the government remains unchanged.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tertitskiy |first1=Fyodor|author-link1= Fyodor Tertitskiy |title=Kim Yo Jong demoted: Why the North Korean leader's sister is down, but not out |url=https://www.nknews.org/2021/01/kim-yo-jong-demoted-why-the-north-korean-leaders-sister-is-down-but-not-out/ |website=NK News |access-date=18 February 2021 |language=English |date=11 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Madden |first1=Michael |title=Kim Yo Jong Stays in the Picture |url=https://www.38north.org/2021/01/kim-yo-jong-stays-in-the-picture/ |website=38 North |access-date=20 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122181141/https://www.38north.org/2021/01/kim-yo-jong-stays-in-the-picture/ |archive-date=22 January 2021 |language=English |date=22 January 2021}}</ref>
On 8 July 2020, Lee Kyung-jae, an attorney with the South Korean law firm Dongbuka, sued Kim for her involvement in the demolition of the Inter-Korean Liaison Office. Lee also sued Pak Jong-chon, Chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army. Lee added that Kim had ordered the liaison office destroyed and was "ultimately responsible" for its destruction.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shim|first=Elizabeth|date=8 July 2020|title=Kim Yo Jong sued over destruction of inter-Korean liaison office|url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2020/07/08/Kim-Yo-Jong-sued-over-destruction-of-inter-Korean-liaison-office/5381594219715/|publisher=United Press International|access-date=10 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Choe Sang-Hun |title=South Korean Lawsuit Filed Against Kim Yo-jong, Kim Jong-un's Sister |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/17/world/asia/korea-kim-yo-jong-lawsuit.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=18 February 2021 |language=English |date=17 July 2020}}</ref>
In March 2021, Kim condemned virtual joint military drills held in South Korea, calling them a "serious challenge."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zwirko |first1=Colin |title=Kim Yo Jong slams US-South Korea military drills, warns of an 'unseemly sleep' |url=https://www.nknews.org/2021/03/kim-yo-jong-slams-us-south-korea-military-drills-warns-of-an-unseemly-sleep/ |website=NK News – North Korea News |publisher=NK News |access-date=19 March 2021 |language=English |date=15 March 2021}}</ref> She also warned the administration of President Joe Biden, saying, "If it wants to sleep in peace for the coming four years, it had better refrain from causing a stink at its first step."<ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Connor |first1=Tom |title=North Korea's Kim Yo Jong blasts South Korea, Biden over "stupid" war games |url=https://www.newsweek.com/north-koreas-kim-yo-jong-blasts-south-korea-biden-over-stupid-war-games-1576356 |website=Newsweek |access-date=16 March 2021 |language=en |date=15 March 2021}}</ref> Kim threatened to decommission the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country and to shutter the Kumgangsan International Travel "and other organizations concerned as any cooperation and exchange with the South Korean authorities antagonizing us are no longer necessary." Kim also said these measures have been reported to Kim Jong Un.<ref>{{cite web |title="Coating a Mad Dog in Sheepskin": KYJ Issues Statement Decrying US-ROK Exercises |url=http://www.nkleadershipwatch.org/2021/03/15/coating-a-mad-dog-in-sheepskin-kyj-issues-statement-decrying-us-rok-exercises/ |website=www.nkleadershipwatch.org |publisher=North Korea Leadership Watch |access-date=16 March 2021 |language=en |date=15 March 2021}}</ref>
In September 2021, it was reported that Kim was promoted to be a member of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea.<ref name=CNN20210930>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/30/asia/kim-yo-jong-promoted-leadership-intl-hnk/index.html|title=Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader, promoted to nation's top ruling body|last1=Kwon|first1=Jake|last2=Regan|first2=Helen|date=30 September 2021|website=CNN|location=Seoul|publisher=WarnerMedia|publication-place=New York City|access-date=30 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1 October 2021|title=Kim Yo Jong Becomes Member of the State Affairs Commission (SAC) – October 1, 2021|url=https://dailynewsbrief.com/2021/10/01/kim-yo-jong-becomes-member-of-the-state-affairs-commission-sac/|access-date=1 October 2021|website=The Daily News Brief|archive-date=5 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205084419/https://dailynewsbrief.com/2021/10/01/kim-yo-jong-becomes-member-of-the-state-affairs-commission-sac/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/kim-jong-uns-mysterious-sister-103149076.html|title=Kim Jong Un's mysterious sister was promoted, cementing her place in North Korea's leadership|last=Baker|first=Sinéad|date=30 September 2021|website=Yahoo! News|access-date=30 September 2021}}</ref>
In September 2022, in response to South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol's offer to economically aid the DPRK in exchange for denuclearization, Kim made a speech before the Assembly on behalf of her brother recommending that Yoon "shut his mouth", commenting that Yoon had "nothing better to say". She additionally blamed the South for introducing COVID-19 to the country, and threatened that if the virus returned to North Korea, she would retaliate against South Korea.<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Korean president told to 'shut his mouth' by Kim Jong Un's sister as she rejects economic aid |url=https://news.sky.com/story/south-korean-president-told-to-shut-his-mouth-by-kim-jong-uns-sister-as-she-rejects-economic-aid-12676289 |access-date=19 September 2022 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref>
In September 2023, Kim Yo Jong accompanied Kim Jong Un at a summit in Russia with Russian President Vladimir Putin. She was seen with Kim Jong Un as he signed a visitor book at Vostochny Cosmodrome.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shin |first1=Hyonhee |title=Kim Jong Un: Who is with North Korea's leader on trip to Russia? |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/who-is-accompanying-north-koreas-kim-trip-russia-2023-09-12/ |access-date=14 September 2023 |work=Reuters |publisher=Reuters |date=13 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913213829/https://www.reuters.com/world/who-is-accompanying-north-koreas-kim-trip-russia-2023-09-12/ |archive-date=13 September 2023 |location=Seoul |language=en |quote=Kim Yo Jong, Kim's powerful sister and a senior party official, was seen aiding him as he signed the visitor book at the cosmodrome.}}</ref>
In February 2026, Kim Yo Jong was given a promotion which named her a full department director during the 9th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea.<ref>{{Cite web |title=North Korea leader's sister promoted at party congress |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/north-korea-kim-jong-un-sister-promoted-party-congress-5948231 |access-date=2026-02-24 |website=CNA |language=en}}</ref> On 28 February, it was revealed that she was appointed as the director of the General Affairs Department.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-28 |title=North Korean leader's sister confirmed to serve as ruling party's general affairs department director |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2026-02-28/national/northKorea/North-Korean-leaders-sister-confirmed-to-serve-as-ruling-partys-general-affairs-department-director/2533934 |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=koreajoongangdaily.joins.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeongmin |date=2026-03-04 |title=How Kim Yo Jong’s secretive new job helps her brother solidify control {{!}} NK News |url=https://www.nknews.org/?p=968535 |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=NK News - North Korea News |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Public image == In April 2020, rumors of Kim Jong Un's ill health brought attention to Kim Yo Jong as a possible successor of the government's leadership in North Korea.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Coyne |first1=Marley |title=Meet Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's Sister—And Possible Successor In North Korea |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marleycoyne/2020/04/25/meet-kim-yo-jong-kim-jong-uns-sister-and-possible-successor-in-north-korea/?sh=7935b8954d8f |website=Forbes |access-date=20 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224081136/https://www.forbes.com/sites/marleycoyne/2020/04/25/meet-kim-yo-jong-kim-jong-uns-sister-and-possible-successor-in-north-korea/ |archive-date=24 December 2020|language=English |date=25 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="KYJleader">{{Cite news|last=Brennan|first=David|date=21 April 2020|title=Who is Kim Jong Un's Sister? North Korea Leader's Reported Health Problems Push Kim Yo Jong Into Focus|work=Newsweek|url=https://www.newsweek.com/who-kim-jong-uns-sister-north-korea-leaders-reported-health-problems-push-kim-yo-jong-focus-1499135|access-date=21 April 2020}}</ref> During this period, she gained significant attention on social media including informational videos, and 'stanning'.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Eilish O'Sullivan |title=People are really stanning Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong |url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/kim-yo-jong-stans/ |website=Daily Dot |access-date=20 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501223735/https://www.dailydot.com/debug/kim-yo-jong-stans/ |archive-date=1 May 2020 |language=English |date=26 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=We regret to inform you that people are stanning Kim Jong-un's sister|url=https://mashable.com/article/kim-jong-un-yo-jong-fancam-horny-stan-simp/|last=Sung|first=Morgan|website=Mashable|date=26 April 2020 |language=en|access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref> In August, she gained additional attention on social media when Kim Jong Un was reported to have been in a coma.<ref name="hindustantimeskimyojong"/>
==Personal life== In late 2014, she reportedly married Choe Song,<ref>{{cite news |date=2 January 2015 |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2015/01/02/kim-jong-uns-little-sister-married-son-of-top-regime-official-report-says/ |title=Kim Jong Un's Little Sister Married Son of Top Regime Official, Report Says |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=30 April 2020 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> the second son of government official Choe Ryong-hae.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20150102006900315|title=NK leader's sister weds son of Choe Ryong-hae: sources|date=2 January 2015|work=Yonhap News Agency|access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref> Choe Song is thought to be a fellow alumnus of Kim Il Sung University and either an official at Room 39 of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) or an employee at a military unit responsible for guarding the country's leader.<ref name="engl_TheC">{{Cite web | title = The Chosun Ilbo (English Edition): Daily News from Korea – Kim Jong-un's Sister to Have Baby in May | work = The Chosun Ilbo | date = 30 April 2014 | access-date = 30 April 2014 | url = http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2015/04/30/2015043001119.html }}</ref> Kim Yo Jong reportedly gave birth to a child in May 2015.<ref name=Guardian171009 /> During the 2018 Winter Olympics, Kim was reported to have disclosed being pregnant.<ref>{{cite news|last=Illmer|first=Andreas|date=21 February 2018|title=North Korea's Kim Yo-jong baby rumours fascinate South|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-43137764|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|access-date=22 October 2020}}</ref>
At a New Year performance on 31 December 2024, Kim Yo Jong was spotted with two children (one boy and one girl), alleged to be hers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kang|first=Taejun|date=2 January 2025|title=Sister of North Korea's Kim spotted with children believed to be hers |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/korea/2025/01/02/north-korea-leader-sister-children/|access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Radio Free Asia}}</ref> This is the first time she has appeared with children in state media.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Zwirko|first=Colin|date=2 January 2025|title=North Korean leader's sister appears with kids in state media for first time|url=https://www.nknews.org/2025/01/north-korean-leaders-sister-appears-with-kids-in-state-media-for-first-time/|access-date=2025-01-18 |website=NK News}}</ref> These children also reappeared again at the launching ceremony of the ''Choe Hyon'' destroyer on 25 April 2025.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2025-05-04|date=2025-04-30|publisher=Daily NK|title=Kim Yo Jong’s children steal spotlight at N. Korean naval ceremony|first=Seo-yeong|last=Jeong|url=https://www.dailynk.com/english/kim-yo-jongs-children-steal-spotlight-at-n-korean-naval-ceremony/}}</ref>
{{Kim dynasty (North Korea) family tree}}
==See also== *Kim Ju Ae *Kim Song-hye *Ro Song-sil *Women in North Korea
==Notes== {{notelist|group=efn}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== *{{cite book |last=Lee |first=Sung-Yoon |author-link=Sung-Yoon Lee|date=2023 |title=The Sister: The extraordinary story of Kim Yo Jong, the most powerful woman in North Korea |location=United Kingdom |publisher=Macmillan |page= |isbn=9781529073539}}
{{Kim family (North Korea)}} {{Women in North Korean politics}} {{Subject bar|North Korea|Biography|Politics |commons=yes |commons-search=Category:Kim Yo-jong |d=yes |d-search=Q4330912}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Kim, Yo-jong}} Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:Children of heads of state Category:Kim family (North Korea) Category:Korean nationalists Category:Members of the Supreme People's Assembly Category:21st-century North Korean women politicians Category:21st-century North Korean politicians Category:Internet memes introduced in 2020 Category:Kim Il Sung University alumni Category:People from Pyongyang Category:North Korean propagandists Category:North Korean communists Category:Members of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea Category:Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List Category:Women government ministers of North Korea