The mysterious life of the wife of North Korea's dictator Kim Jong Un

Few details are known about Ri Sol-ju, the wife of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Following is a transcript of the video.
Little is known about Ri Sol-ju South Korean reports say she is 28 and has three children. She was first officially identified as Kim's wife in July 2012, when she was introduced during the opening of a Pyongyang amusement park.
It's unclear when Kim and Ri got married. Some have reported the wedding was in 2009 but others say the couple met in 2010 at a classical music concert.
Very little is known about Ri's life before marrying Kim. South Korean reports say she studied singing in China and visited South Korea in 2005 as a member of North Korea's cheerleading squad.
Ri has a taste for expensive Western fashion. She's been criticised for carrying luxury bags from Dior and Chanel while many North Korean civilians struggle under poverty and famine.
It's believed Ri had her third child last February after disappearing from public view for several months. It's been speculated Kim wanted a boy to inherit his dictatorship.
The secrecy around Ri is no surprise to North Koreans. Kim's father Kim Jong-il never introduced any of his wives to the public.
Ri Sol-ju was first identified as the wife of Kim Jong Un in July 2012, when North Korean state media made it official.
Kim and his wife Ri attend the opening ceremony of the Rungna People's Pleasure Ground on Rungna Islet along the Taedong River in Pyongyang in this July 25, 2012 photograph released by the North's KCNA.KCNA via KNS/AP Images

An international media frenzy had been mounting for weeks over the "mystery woman" spotted with Kim at a a series of public events, including a theater performance featuring Disney characters, and a tribute to Kim's grandfather on the anniversary of his death.

An international media frenzy had been mounting for weeks over the "mystery woman" spotted with Kim at a a series of public events, including a theater performance featuring Disney characters, and a tribute to Kim's grandfather on the anniversary of his death.
Kim applauds with his wife Ri during a demonstration performance by the newly formed Moranbong band in Pyongyang in this undated picture released by the KCNA July 9, 2012.KCNA via Reuters
Source: CNN


Ri's eventual public introduction was underwhelming, to say the least. North Korean media mentioned her almost as an afterthought during coverage of an amusement park opening in Pyongyang.

Ri's eventual public introduction was underwhelming, to say the least. North Korean media mentioned her almost as an afterthought during coverage of an amusement park opening in Pyongyang.
Kim and Ri attend the opening ceremony of the Rungna People's Pleasure Ground on Rungna Islet along the Taedong River in Pyongyang in this July 25, 2012 photograph released by the KCNA.KCNA via Reuters

"While a welcoming song was resonating," state television reported, "Marshal Kim Jong Un appeared at the ceremony site, with his wife, Comrade Ri Sol-ju."

"While a welcoming song was resonating," state television reported, "Marshal Kim Jong Un appeared at the ceremony site, with his wife, Comrade Ri Sol-ju."
Kim stands next to Ri as they attend the 2014 Combat Flight Contest among commanding officers of the Korean People's Air Force in this undated photo released by the KCNA in Pyongyang May 10, 2014KCNA via Reuters

It's unclear exactly when Kim and Ri got married. Some have reported the wedding was in 2009 and Ri gave birth to a child the next year, while others have said that the couple didn't meet until a classical music concert in 2010.

It's unclear exactly when Kim and Ri got married. Some have reported the wedding was in 2009 and Ri gave birth to a child the next year, while others have said that the couple didn't meet until a classical music concert in 2010.
Kim and Ri arrive at an auditorium to attend a performance given by the Moranbong Band to celebrate the 59th anniversary of "the victory" of 1950-53 Korean War in Pyongyang in this picture released by the North's official KCNA news agency on July 31, 2012.KCNA via Reuters
Sources: BBC, The Daily Beast


The secrecy around their wedding was no surprise to North Koreans and international observers of the Hermit Kingdom. Kim's father never introduced his multiple wives to the public at all.

The secrecy around their wedding was no surprise to North Koreans and international observers of the Hermit Kingdom. Kim's father never introduced his multiple wives to the public at all.
A limousine carrying a portrait of late Kim Jong-il leads his funeral procession past crowds on a street in Pyongyang in this still image taken from video December 28, 2011.Associated Press
Source: The New York Times


Little is known about the life Ri led before marrying Kim, but South Korean intelligence reports have said she once studied singing in China, and visited South Korea in 2005 as a member of North Korea's cheerleading squad.

Little is known about the life Ri led before marrying Kim, but South Korean intelligence reports have said she once studied singing in China, and visited South Korea in 2005 as a member of North Korea's cheerleading squad.
Kim and Ri look on during a visit to Unit 1017 of the Korean People's Army (KPA) Air and Anti-Air Force in this undated picture released by North Korea's KCNA on June 21, 2013.KCNA via Reuters
Source: CNN


Ri is known for her taste in western fashion — she has been spotted carrying expensive bags by designers like Dior and Chanel.

Ri is known for her taste in western fashion — she has been spotted carrying expensive bags by designers like Dior and Chanel.
Kim speaks next to Ri as he gives field guidance at the new terminal of Pyongyang International Airport in this undated photo released by KCNA on June 25, 2015.KCNA via Reuters
Source: Business Insider


Her penchant for luxury goods has attracted international criticism. North Korean civilians have struggled for years under famine, drought, and widespread poverty.

Her penchant for luxury goods has attracted international criticism. North Korean civilians have struggled for years under famine, drought, and widespread poverty.
North Koreans travel in a truck in a field northwest of Pyongyang April 8, 2012.REUTERS/Bobby Yip


Earlier this year, Ri disappeared from public view for several months, prompting speculation over her well-being. In August, South Korean intelligence reported that she had given birth to a child and dropped out of the public eye because she was pregnant.

Kim and Ri play with children during a visit to the Taesongsan General Hospital in Pyongyang in this undated photo released by the KCNA May 19, 2014.KCNA via Reuters
Sources: Agence France-Presse, CNN


It's believed that Ri and Kim now have three children, though the most detailed information comes from former NBA star Dennis Rodman, well known for his controversial friendship with Kim and frequent trips to North Korea. Rodman said he met the couple's second child in 2013, a baby girl named Ju-ae.

Rodman gestures to photographers as he prepares to go through immigration at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, Tuesday, June 13, 2017.Associated Press/Mark Schiefelbein
Source: The Guardian


"I held their baby Ju-ae and spoke with Ms. Ri as well. [Kim's] a good dad and has a beautiful family," Rodman told The Guardian. Those details have not been independently corroborated.

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman shows a picture he took with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as he arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport September 7, 2013.REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Source: The Guardian


South Korean media has speculated that Ri may have been pressured to have a third child in the hopes that it would be a boy who could inherit Kim's dictatorship, assuming both of the couple's previous children were girls.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju disembark a plane for the 2014 Combat Flight Contest in Pyongyang on May 10, 2014.KCNA via Reuters
Source: UPI


One North Korean defector-turned-researcher, Ahn Chan-il, told South Korean news network YTN that there was "pressure to quickly give birth to a son, because the regime is not so sturdy."

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