Kim Jong Un’s Wife Missing from Public Eye — Rumors of Past Affair and Purge Resurface After China Visit

We don’t see much of them anymore

Of the four previous visits to China, Mrs. Ri accompanied her husband on three—but this time, she was nowhere to be seen.

At the ceremony held in China this September to mark the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan, the person accompanying North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was not his wife, Ri Sol Ju, but his daughter, Ju Ae. It appeared that Ju Ae had assumed the role of First Lady in her mother’s place.

Shinichi Hen, editor-in-chief of Korea Report and an expert on Korean Peninsula affairs, explains:

“It was likely an intentional move to present his daughter, Ju Ae, on the world stage alongside major leaders like China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Although Ju Ae is only around 12 years old, I believe Kim Jong Un wanted to signal that she is his successor.”

What draws attention now is the disappearance of Mrs. Ri from public view. She has not been seen since attending the New Year’s celebration performance in January 2024. When she reappeared after a year and a half this June at the opening ceremony of the East Coast Tourist District in eastern North Korea, her unusual behavior drew attention.

“Despite being the mother, she stood one step behind her daughter, Ju Ae. This scene was broadcast on Korean Central Television, clearly reflecting the current power dynamic. This isn’t the first time Mrs. Ri has distanced herself from public life. At the end of 2020, she also vanished for nearly a year. At that time, South Korea’s unification minister commented: ‘We haven’t seen much of her since Kim Yo Jong (Kim Jong Un’s sister) began appearing on the public stage. Something may have happened when she came into prominence.’

That remark hinted at a possible rift between Ri Sol Ju and Kim Yo Jong. In reality, there doesn’t seem to have been any direct conflict, but her disappearance gave rise to countless rumors — that she was pregnant with another child of Kim Jong Un, that she had been hospitalized after contracting COVID-19, or even that she was purged over an alleged affair with an official. All of those were baseless speculations,” said a South Korean newspaper reporter.

There is meaning behind her reduced public appearances

What explains the recent sharp decline in Mrs. Ri’s public appearances? Hen offers his analysis:

“Mrs. Ri does not have the authority to decide her own actions. All her public schedules are determined by the Workers’ Party of Korea. Her reduced visibility carries significance. In North Korea, the hierarchy among officials is clear. Even within a family, her daughter Ju Ae, the designated successor, currently holds higher status. To elevate Ju Ae’s presence, Mrs. Ri’s official duties have likely been reduced.

“Mrs. Ri is said to be introverted. She is aware of her position and demonstrates humility by standing one step behind her daughter in official settings. However, I don’t believe she will completely disappear from public life. When foreign leaders visit North Korea with their spouses, Mrs. Ri will still play her role as First Lady in hosting duties.”

The power dynamics within the Kim family are closely watched in Japan as well, given ongoing issues such as the abduction cases and other matters involving North Korea. Mrs. Ri’s public appearances serve as an important barometer for understanding the family’s current status.

What is the reason behind the recent sharp decline in Mrs. Lee’s exposure? Mr. Hen explains.

Mrs. Lee does not have the authority to make decisions about her own activities. Her public schedule is set by the Workers’ Party of Korea. The reduced exposure is also significant. In North Korea, the pecking order of senior officials is clearly defined. Even if they are father and son, the daughter Jooe, who is currently the successor, has a higher position. In order to increase her presence, Mrs. Ri’s official duties are probably being reduced.

Mrs. Lee is said to be an introvert. She is said to be introverted. She is aware of her position and shows humility by stepping back when she is on the same official business as her daughter. However, I don’t think she will completely disappear from public life. When foreign heads of state visit the DPRK accompanied by their daughters, she will probably play the role of entertaining them as the first lady.

The power relationship between the Kim family cannot be overlooked by Japanese society, which has a number of pending issues with North Korea, including the abduction issue. The degree of exposure of Mrs. Lee is an important barometer of the family’s current status.