Kim Jong Un’s Regime: Rise of Female Leaders

There are prominent female figures in North Korea’s Kim Jong Un regime. It is evaluated that female roles expanded to include Choe Son Hui, Kim Ju Ae, Ri Sol Ju, Hyon Song Wol, and Kim Yo Jong.

This is credited to Kim Jong Un’s women-friendly leadership, which fosters an environment that promotes female figures.

Due to the high number of women in Kim Jong Un’s inner circle, unseen power struggles are believed to occur. So who are these women in Kim Jong Un’s regime, often referred to as Pyongyang’s Ladies of the Palace?

Firstly, we can mention Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, who boasts an unparalleled career. Choe Son Hui has been a leading North Korean expert in the United States since Kim Jong Il’s regime and is currently in the position of Foreign Minister.

Choe Son Hui is considered the first woman in North Korea to break the glass ceiling.

Despite North Korea’s deep-rooted patriarchal system, Choe Son Hui has climbed to the position of Foreign Minister, becoming a unique right-hand woman to Kim Jong Un.

Kim Ju Ae, the daughter of Kim Jong Un, is often touted as the protagonist of the fourth-generation succession, surpassing other new female figures.

Recently, North Korea has begun idolizing Kim Ju Ae in preparation for succession, addressing her as the Morning Star General of Joseon. They used this title to promote Kim Il Sung’s early revolutionary activities, implying that Kim Ju Ae was essentially designated for the fourth-generation succession.

Due to recent propaganda activities in North Korea, such as accompanying Kim Ju Ae in Kim Jong Un’s activities and promoting Kim Ju Ae, there is a high probability that Kim Ju Ae will gain ultimate power.

Kim Yo Jong is the younger sister of Kim Jong Un and has previously ranked second in North Korea’s power hierarchy.

Her official title is Deputy Department Director of the Publicity and Information Department of the Workers’ Party of Korea, which is considered the highest position a woman can hold within the party.

Even though she is of Paektu bloodline, it’s quite unusual for a woman to rise to such a high position in North Korea. A female executive is considered to be Kim Yo Jong’s greatest adversary.

That person is Hyon Song Wol. Originally a singer, Hyon Song Wol was appointed deputy director of the party’s central committee and served Kim Jong Un closely.

At one point, Hyon Song Wol was considered Kim Jong Un’s hidden lover. However, considering that Hyon Song Wol is seven years older than Kim Jong Un and has been seen singing while heavily pregnant, it is presumed she has a separate husband.

According to North Korean sources, the power struggle between Hyon Song Wol and Kim Yo Jong is so intense that party members avoid it, detesting it.

Lastly, Ri Sol Ju, the mother of Kim Ju Ae, is considered the highest-ranking figure in Pyongyang’s Ladies of the Palace.

As the wife of North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong Un, Ri Sol Ju is speculated to receive the highest treatment if Kim Ju Ae succeeds.

Compared to other female executives, Ri Sol Ju is considered to be maneuvering unseen hands at the center of power with a one-step-ahead vision. She put Kim Ju Ae forward early on when Kim Jong Un experienced health issues to prevent her sister-in-law, Kim Yo Jong, from usurping power.

Meanwhile, according to the U.S. think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies, Kim Ju Ae’s frequent public appearances are likely due to the power struggle between Ri Sol Ju and Kim Yo Jong.

As Kim Yo Jong’s political power within the regime grows, it’s speculated that Ri Sol Ju wants to keep Kim Yo Jong in check and make it clear that her children are the successors.