Pyongyang, North Korea – Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has been promoted to a full department director within the ruling Workers’ Party, North Korean state media reported Tuesday. The appointment, made during a key party congress, elevates her position to a level comparable to a minister, according to analysts.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced that Kim Yo-jong, previously a deputy department director, received the promotion at a meeting of the Workers’ Party Central Committee on Monday. The ongoing party congress, a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the isolated nation, began February 19th and is expected to outline the country’s economic and political priorities for the next five years.
Kim Yo-jong has long been considered one of her brother’s closest confidantes and a key figure in the North Korean power structure. She has frequently served as a public face for Pyongyang, issuing statements critical of South Korea and the United States. In the past, she has sharply criticized South Korean leaders, once referring to the government of former President Yoon Suk Yeol as a “dog faithful” to the U.S., though her tone has reportedly softened since the election of President Lee Jae Myung last year, who has pursued a more conciliatory approach towards the North.
“Kim Yo-jong is one of the few people Kim Jong-un can truly trust and rely on,” said Ahn Chan-il, a North Korea researcher, according to the Associated Press. “She has similarly held official positions during summits between Kim and Trump in Singapore and Hanoi. She is experienced and seasoned.”
The promotion comes as Kim Jong-un himself was unanimously re-elected as the Workers’ Party’s general secretary on Sunday, solidifying his control over the country’s sole governing party. The congress is also being closely watched for signals regarding the future role of Kim Jong-un’s daughter, Ju Ae, who has been increasingly presented in state media as a potential successor.
This is the ninth party congress held since the beginning of the Kim family’s rule over North Korea. The gatherings were discontinued under Kim Jong-il, the father of the current leader, but were revived in 2016 after Kim Jong-un assumed power. The congress serves as a platform for Kim Jong-un to demonstrate his authority and outline the nation’s strategic direction.
The North Korean economy remains severely constrained by international sanctions imposed due to its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. Kim Jong-un is expected to address the country’s economic challenges during the congress, as well as potentially reveal the next phase of its arms development program. The congress is taking place as North Korea continues to face economic hardship and international pressure over its weapons programs.
