Kim Yo Jong, born in 1987, is a prominent figure in North Korean politics. She holds key positions in the Workers' Party of Korea and State Affairs Commission. As the sister of Kim Jong Un, she is seen as a potential successor.
The 'Mount Paektu bloodline' is the official North Korean propaganda term for the ruling dynasty that has devastated the North Korean people for more than 70 years. It details how Kim Il Sung, Kim Yo Jong’s grandfather and the country’s founder, used Korea’s highest mountain as a staging area for guerrilla operations to defeat the Japanese colonial masters in 1945. This narrative serves as the ideological foundation of the Kim family’s rule.
1987-09-26
Birth of Kim Yo Jong
Kim Yo Jong, the youngest child of former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and his consort, Ko Yong-hui, was born in Pyongyang on September 26, 1987. She spent most of her early childhood at her mother's residence and later studied in Switzerland under the assumed name 'Pak Mi-hyang'.
1998
Aunt's Defection to the United States
In 1998, one of Kim Yo Jong and Kim Jong Un's aunts defected to the United States, which is considered a significant event in the context of North Korean politics and society.
2007
Political Appointment in Workers' Party of Korea
In 2007, Kim Yo Jong 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. She was active in establishing her father's hereditary succession campaign and worked in the National Defense Commission and in her father's personal secretariat.
2011-12
Publicity During Kim Jong Il's Funeral Service
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.
2012
Position at the National Defence Commission
At the beginning of 2012, Kim Yo Jong was reportedly given a position at the National Defence Commission as tour manager for her brother, Kim Jong Un, arranging his itineraries, schedule, logistical needs, and security arrangements.
2014-03
First Official Mention in State Media
In March 2014, Kim Yo Jong received her first official mention in state media when she accompanied her brother in voting for the Supreme People's Assembly and was named a 'senior official' of the WPK Central Committee.
2014-10
Assumption of State Duties
In October 2014, Kim Yo Jong was reported to have taken over state duties for her brother while he underwent medical treatment.
2014-11
Appointment as First Deputy Director
In November 2014, Kim Yo Jong was appointed First Deputy Director of the party's Propaganda and Agitation Department.
2015-05
Birth of Child
Kim Yo-jong reportedly gave birth to a child in May 2015.
2015-07
Role in the Propaganda and Agitation Department
In July 2015, reports described Kim Yo Jong as playing the role of de facto leader of the Propaganda and Agitation Department, responsible for 'assisting in consolidating Kim Jong-un's power' by implementing 'idolisation projects'.
2017-10-08
Alternate Member of the WPK’s Politburo
Kim Yo Jong served as an alternate member of the WPK’s Politburo from October 8, 2017, to January 2021. There is uncertainty regarding the capacity in which she served in this position, with speculation of demotion and reinstatement. As of January 2021, she no longer holds this position. She has also been alternately listed as “first vice department director” to “vice department director” of the Politburo.
2017-11-06
Ko Yong Hui's Birthplace
Ko Yong Hui, the mother of Kim Yo Jong and Kim Jong Un, was born in Japan, which is one of the hidden secrets of the Kim family and holds importance in understanding the family's background.
2018-02-09
Kim Yo-jong Attends 2018 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
Kim Yo-jong attended the 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Pyeongchang, South Korea, marking the first visit of a member of the ruling Kim dynasty to South Korea since the Korean War. She met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and revealed that she was dispatched as a special envoy of Kim Jong Un, delivering a personally written letter from Kim to Moon.
2018-02-10
Kim Yo-jong Meets with South Korean President Moon Jae-in
Kim Yo-jong met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, disclosing that she was sent as a special envoy of Kim Jong Un and delivered a personally written letter from Kim to Moon.
2019-03-02
Kim Yo Jong attends wreath laying ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, attended a wreath laying ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi on March 2, 2019.
2020-06-16
Kim Yo-jong Emergence as a Key Figure
Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, has emerged as a key figure in North Korea's political apparatus, gaining international attention in 2018 when she was the first member of the Kim dynasty to visit South Korea during the Winter Olympics.
2021-09-30
Kim Yo Jong becomes member of State Affairs Commission
On September 30, 2021, North Korea’s state-run media announced that Kim Yo Jong, the sister of Kim Jong Un, has become a member of the State Affairs Commission (SAC), the highest official position she has held within the country’s ruling body.
2022-10-15
Book talk with Dr. Sung-Yoon Lee
Dr. Sung-Yoon Lee will be discussing his book, The Sister: North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong, the Most Dangerous Woman in the World, providing insights into the enigmatic figure of Kim Yo Jong and her influence in North Korea.
2023-10-07
Kim Yo Jong attends wreath-laying ceremony
Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, attends a wreath-laying ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi on March 2, 2019.
2023-11-15
Kim Yo Jong's rise to power and influence
Kim Yo Jong has risen to prominence as a significant figure in North Korean politics, being described as Kim Jong Un's 'most trusted' and 'closest advisor'. Her increasing role in international diplomacy and her potential succession as a leader have drawn attention to her growing power within the regime.
2024-02-20
Violation of UN Sanctions on North Korea
Russian President Putin giving a luxury limousine to Kim Jong-Un was considered a violation of UN sanctions on North Korea. This incident occurred on February 20, 2024.
2024-03-15
Kim Jong-Un Receives Luxury Limousine from Putin
Kim Jong-Un received a luxury limousine from Russian President Putin, which signifies the expanding ties between North Korea and Russia. This event took place on March 15, 2024.