Wednesday, 25 July 2012

Norh Korea TV confirms leader Kim is married

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (2nd L) and an unidentified woman visit the Rungna People's Pleasure Ground, which is nearing completion, in Pyongyang in this undated picture released by the North's KCNA on July 25, 2012.

North Korean state television Wednesday confirmed that leader Kim Jong-Un is married and named his wife as Ri Sol-Ju, South Korea's unification ministry said.

The television reported that Kim and Ri, whom it described as his wife, took part in a ceremony marking completion of a Pyongyang amusement park, according to a spokeswoman for the ministry which handles cross-border affairs.

Kim Jong-Un, in his late 20s, took over as leader of the reclusive state from his father Kim Jong-Il who died in December, but little is known about the young leader.

A smartly dressed woman in her 20s or early 30s has been seen with Jong-Un at public events, and speculation has swirled about her identity. Some analysts have previously suggested she might be Jong-Un's younger sister, although North Korean official media has not said who she is.

The short-haired brunette was first shown with Jong-Un during a concert in Pyongyang on July 5, wearing a yellow polka-dot dress and chic white jacket.

She was seen walking next to the leader on July 8 when he visited the mausoleum of his grandfather Kim Il-Sung.

On July 24, photos aired by state television showed the woman standing close to the new leader during a visit to a kindergarten.

With other officials staying a few steps behind the pair, the woman was seen grinning while standing immediately behind or next to Jong-Un as he hugged and talked to children.

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