Fears grow for Kim’s wife

SEOUL: The wife of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has not been seen in public for seven months prompting speculation that she is either pregnant or has fallen out of favour.

Experts monitoring the situation in Pyongyang have suggested Ri Sol-ju, who was introduced as First Lady in 2012, may have fallen out with Kim Jong-un’s younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, who is increasingly regarded as the power behind the throne.

Yo-jong was put in charge of North Korea’s Propaganda and Agitation Department last year and is responsible for building up her brother’s cult of personality.

Ri was last seen on a tour of a new commercial district and health complex in Pyongyang on March 28, South Korean news agency Yonhap News reported.

Toshimitsu Shigemura, a professor at Tokyo’s Waseda University who focuses on the Pyongyang leadership, told The Telegraph Ri’s disappearance could be down to several factors.

“There are several possible reasons, including that she is pregnant or that there is some sort of problem between the two of them.

“There have also been reports of instability in Pyongyang and even of several attempted attacks, including by factions in the North Korean military, against the dictator last year.

“It is possible that Ri has not appeared in public because she is being closely guarded,” he said.

Kim is not above disposing of those closest to him if they fall out of favour.

He executed his uncle, Jang Sung-taek, after finding him guilty of treason despite their relationship being reportedly close beforehand. – The Independent