North Korean singer Hyon Song-wol has been spotted attending official events and trips alongside the supreme leader Kim Jong-Un. Notably, the pop-star, believed to be the leader’s lover, was seen by his side during a military parade on October 10. She seemed to have taken up the duties previously performed by the leader’s sister Kim Yo-Jong. Questions have arisen about the change in roles of three important women in Kim’s life as his wife and sister appear to be fading from public view.
There appears to be a powershift in Pyongyang as the supreme leader returns to the limelight following reports of his illness. 36-year-old Kim vanished for a while earlier this year apparently due to ill health. In his absence, his 32-year-old sister was seen taking over leadership roles. She was seen as a replacement in case the supreme leader did not recover from his ailments.
Kim Yo-Jong’s rise to power does not seem to have gone down well with the chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea. Since July, the powerful woman has only been spotted fleetingly on two public occasions. Before the rumours of her taking over power from Kim, the younger sibling played a prominent role during public events and appearances of the supreme leader.
The military parade earlier this month saw the 43-year-old pop-star replacing Kim Yo-Jong. Hyon Song-wol was seen standing behind Kim during his speech and receiving flowers given to the leader. The sister of the head of state was seen seated with lower-ranking officials and was only shown once during the three-hour broadcast.
Kim Yo-Song’s slow shift away from the spotlight is similar to that of Kim’s wife Ri Sol-ju. According to The Times, the mother of the leader’s children had not made a public appearance since January. It is speculated that she might have had another child, the Daily Mail reported.
Kim Jong-un’s glamorous former pop star lover has been showing up recently at the North Korean despot’s side – sparking speculation she has usurped his sister while his wife keeps a low profile, according to a report.
Hyon Song-wol – the 43-year-old who fronts the Moranbong Band, which has been likened to the Spice Girls of the hermit kingdom – has apparently assumed some of the duties performed by Mr Kim’s powerful younger sister Kim Yo-jong, according to British newspaper The Times.
But as her spotlight has dimmed of late, Kim’s wife, Ri Sol-ju, 31, a former singer and cheerleader, also has not been seen in public for a long time.
“The positive theory is that the leader grew up and is becoming more independent than before,” South Korean journalist Wang Son-taek wrote on the NK News website, The Times reported.
“This would mean that Kim Yo-jong is now on the right track towards her own leadership-building path and is strongly supported by her brother,” he added.
“A more negative theory is that Kim Jong-un is disappointed in his sister, whom he has relied on a lot emotionally. This would no doubt spell psychological trouble within the Kim family.”
