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North Korea

Where is Kim Jong-un’s wife?

Source: News Corp Australia Network:
October 31, 2016 at 14:43

FEARS are growing for the safety of North Korea’s first lady who has vanished from public view for the past seven months.

Ri Sol-ju is thought to have tied the knot with Kim Jong-un in 2009 and soon after she gave birth to his child and heir to the hermit state reported The Sun.

Sporting designer clothes and pricey handbags, she has since appeared alongside her hubby as he tours factories and theme parks.

Kim Jong-un inspects a newly built terminal of Pyongyang International Airport, with his wife Ri Sol-ju on an unknown date. Picture: EPA/Rodong Sinmun

Kim Jong-un inspects a newly built terminal of Pyongyang International Airport, with his wife Ri Sol-ju on an unknown date. Picture: EPA/Rodong SinmunSource:AAP

But now she has vanished from public view after last being seen at a sporting event in March.

North Korea observers fear she could have fallen foul of her despotic husband or incurred the wrath of his equally menacing sister, Kim Yo jong.

Experts believe Yo jong is the power behind the throne and is even more deadly than her brother.

One North Korea watcher told Yonhap News Agency, “Ri showed up at public events every two months last year but has not appeared in public for over seven months this year”.

“That’s quite extraordinary.

“Some sources speculate Ri’s disappearance may be linked to a check on her activities by Kim’s younger sister Kim Yo-jong.”



 

Kim Jong-un and Ri Sol Ju pictured in 2012. Picture: AP/Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service
Kim Jong-un and Ri Sol Ju pictured in 2012. Picture: AP/Korean Central News Agency via Korea News ServiceSource:AP

 

 

Concern is also mounting for Kim’s wife because of the gruesome fate people face who cross the leader.

In August it emerged he had executed one of North Korea’s top officials with an anti-aircraft gun after the man fell asleep in one of his meetings.

In December 2013, North Korean state media announced the execution of Jang Sung-taek, the uncle by marriage of Kim Jong-un.

According to a South Korean newspaper, Jang’s nephew, O Sang-hon, was also executed by being burnt alive with a flame thrower.

In 2007, a factory chief convicted of making international phone calls was executed by firing squad in front of a crowd of 150,000.

It’s reported that six people were killed in the rush as spectators left the stadium which hosted the execution.

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