The Remarkable Metamorphosis of Kim Jong Un's Sister: A Tale of Intrigue and Power

During North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's visit to a space center last week for his significant meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a young woman discreetly glanced over his shoulder as he signed the guestbook. In a gathering primarily comprised of formal male officials, she stood out unmistakably - the woman in question was Kim Yo Jong, the younger sister of the North Korean leader and a highly influential political advisor in the country.

Since her debut on the international stage during the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, marking the first time a member of her family has visited the South since the end of the Korean War, she has emerged as a prominent spokesperson for the regime.

Kim Jong Un's sister stands alongside the North Korean leader at the Vostochny Сosmodrome in the Amur region, Russia, on September 13, 2023.

Kremlin

Kim Yo Jong, as described by Sung-Yoon Lee in his book "The Sister," is the epitome of sharpness in both tongue and wit. Lee, a Fellow at The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, portrays her as not just a chief censor and spokesperson, but also a master of mockery and purveyor of threats and malice. In an interview with CNN Opinion, Lee delves into the remarkable ascent of Kim Yo Jong within North Korea's highly patriarchal society, questioning the extent of power she truly holds behind her assertive rhetoric. The opinions expressed here are solely those of Sung-Yoon Lee. For more perspectives, visit CNN.

CNN: Of all the members of the Kim Dynasty, why did you choose to focus on Kim Yo Jong in your book?

Professor and author Sung-Yoon Lee.

Alonso Nichols/Tufts University

Kim Yo Jong is a notable and influential female character who has emerged in the oppressive, male-dominated political arena of North Korea, where the Kim family has held power for 75 years. Since 2020, she has effectively served as the second most prominent figure in the ruling dynasty, second only to her brother, Kim Jong Un.

Ms. Kim, a youthful and captivating individual, possesses an intelligent demeanor coupled with a sharp wit. She is known for her commanding presence and sharp-tongued remarks. Often, she brazenly utters threats of launching nuclear attacks on South Korea, solidifying her standing as the most influential female figure in present-day North Korea.

CNN: Can you provide insights into Kim Yo Jong's formative years and her bond with her brother?

Sung-Yoon Lee, the youngest child of Kim Jong Il, the previous supreme leader, has received constant affection from her parents since birth. Both her mother and father affectionately referred to her as their "sweet princess." According to a former chef for the family, Sung-Yoon Lee would always sit beside her father during their family meals. During her formative years, from approximately nine to thirteen, Sung-Yoon Lee resided in Switzerland alongside her two brothers, Kim Jong Un and Kim Jong Chol. This period allowed her to develop a strong bond with her brother Jong Un, who would later become the leader.

The Kim siblings in North Korean video footage often share smiles, as if affirming their strong bond. While her brother presides over formal events, she nonchalantly pursues her own interests in the background, while other senior officials rigidly stand at attention. Undoubtedly, she holds a distinct position within her nation's hierarchy.

CNN: What is the origin of the Kim Dynasty?

Kim Il Sung, the founding leader of North Korea and grandfather of the Kim siblings, is depicted in the official history of the Kim dynasty as the hero who single-handedly liberated the Korean nation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. According to this narrative, he fought a war of independence from the foothills of Mt. Paektu, a revered mountain that symbolizes the origins of the Korean people. However, this claim is highly exaggerated. In reality, Kim Il Sung was just a junior officer in the Soviet Army, and it was mainly due to the surrender of Japan, orchestrated with the assistance of the United States, that he was appointed as the leader of Communist North Korea by Stalin.

North Korea has politically utilized this mythology to establish the fundamental legitimacy of the Kim dynasty by crafting a fabricated storyline, asserting that Kim Il Sung is the savior and his descendants possess extraordinary supernatural abilities.

CNN: Kim Yo Jong participated in the Winter Olympics in South Korea in 2018, promoting a message centered on peace. How has her rhetoric evolved since then?

Sung-Yoon Lee: Transforming her character since her enchanting debut in the Pyeongchang Winter Games in February 2018, she has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis. Previously perceived as a proud yet respectful princess from Pyongyang, she has now evolved into an occasionally outspoken leader, representing the fierce and unyielding absolute monarchy that characterizes her dynasty.

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South Korean President Moon Jae-in (right) shakes hands with Kim Yo-Jong (middle), North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's sister, in 2018.

Handout/South Korean Presidential Blue House/Getty Images

She has openly mocked Seoul's presidential office, comparing it to a fearful dog and criticizing its officials as mindless US followers. Additionally, she has labeled Joe Biden as senile. These bold contradictions, coupled with her apparent possession of almost unlimited authority, contribute to making her an intriguing figure in today's political landscape. However, the question remains: does she possess more than mere rhetoric? Can you provide examples of the power she actually exercises?

Sung-Yoon Lee: In June 2020, she released a written statement urging South Korea to enact a legislation that would make it illegal to send leaflets, money, medicine, toothpaste, and other items across the border into North Korea. (For many years, defectors and other human rights advocates have been sending these materials to the North, typically using balloons.)

Shortly after Ms. Kim's directive, South Korea announced its intention to adhere to it. Despite facing growing criticism from domestic civic organizations and international entities such as the United Nations, the new law was successfully passed in December of the same year.

Lord David Alton, a prominent member of the British Parliament, criticized the South's new legislation as a "gag law." However, despite this objection, the South Korean administration, which held a significant majority in its parliament, proceeded with implementing the law. This marks the first instance in which the North successfully imposed its oppressive censorship on the South, an achievement that even Ms. Kim's ancestors couldn't attain.

In addition to this, in June, she also issued a threat to destroy the North-South Joint Liaison Office located just north of the inter-Korean border. This office had been entirely funded by South Korea. A few days later, her threat became a reality as the office was demolished. These incidents are described in detail in the book.

CNN: Gathering information on the family was a challenging task. How did you approach researching your book?

Sung-Yoon Lee: With 20 years of studying and teaching about North Korea, I delved into an extensive range of resources. I thoroughly examined everything written about Kim Yo Jong and her family in Korean (including North Korean sources), Chinese, and English. Additionally, I dedicated countless hours to watching North Korean footage and reading numerous articles and statements from the country. This painstaking effort has culminated in the completion of this book.

I have conducted interviews with individuals who have encountered Kim Yo Jong, as well as with former high-ranking North Korean officials who have fled the country.

CNN: What does the future potentially entail for Kim Yo Jong? Is it expected that power will automatically transition to the next generation following her brother's rule?

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Sung-Yoo Lee suggests that the conventional power shift to one of Kim Jong Un's children should instead be given to his sibling. However, Kim Yo Jong, being the assertive sister of the supreme leader, brings a new dynamic to the table. The question of whether she will eventually take on top leadership is uncertain, but not entirely unfounded.

The memories from the unforgiving winter of 2013, when the Kim siblings subjected their uncle, Jang Song Thaek, to public humiliation and execution, highlight the utmost brutality of their regime. After all, their dynasty is truly the most peculiar one on the planet.