The Kim dynasty, especially in the person of Kim Jong-un, is considered to be the leading head of North Korea. But in the background, another family has a major influence on political events in the state – namely the Choe clan. Now the two groups are getting together. Kim’s Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, was married to Choe Song.
According to the “Bild” newspaper, Kim Yo-jong’s new husband is the son of Choe Ryong-hae, who is the most powerful politician in the country after Kim Jong-un. As head of parliament, he is the official head of state of North Korea. He also holds the position of deputy head of the Politburo and will be chairman of the Supreme People’s Assembly from September. Choe Song is also a descendant of Choi Hyun, the former partisan commander who was a close ally of North Korea’s founder Kim II-sung.
After state leader Kim Jong-un has repeatedly disappeared from the scene for long periods of time in recent months, his sister is being rebuilt. Kim Yo-jong is already head of the Ministry of Propaganda, and she is also set to become a member of the Politburo. This position would enable her to make state decisions should her brother be absent again.
Even during the corona pandemic, when Kim Jong-un withdrew for a longer period of time, his sister would have made important decisions and set state priorities. She would have been in close contact with the state leader’s supervisors and security forces.
In addition to Kim Yo-jong’s political development, the reunification of the two families is another signal that Kim Jong-un increasingly has to fear his disempowerment. It remains to be seen how the two families will now work together and whether Kim Yo-jong will force a change of power.
