North Korea's First Lady reappears after months of absence

(Baonghean.vn) - Ri Sol-Ju, wife of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has made a rare public appearance after months of absence at an air force combat training competition, according to North Korean media sources on December 4.

Kim Jong Un and his wife in Pyongyang, North Korea. Photo: AP.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the country's leader and his wife attended an air combat competition organized by the Korean People's Army and Air Force. This is the first time Ms. Ri has appeared in public after a nine-month absence. Previously, she was last seen at a public event with her husband on March 28.

Her prolonged absence has led to speculation that the First Lady of North Korea may be pregnant or that there may be trouble in her relationship with Mr. Kim.

According to Sputnik, it is also possible that she is being heavily protected due to reports of unrest in Pyongyang. “There are reports of unrest in Pyongyang, and even some plots by factions in the North Korean military against Kim last year,” Toshimitsu Shigemura, a professor at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan, who specializes in studying the North Korean leadership, said in October. “It is possible that Ri has not appeared in public because she is under heavy protection.”

KCNA reported that the contestants demonstrated high-level tactical capabilities and the ability to defeat any enemy in a real combat environment. After the competition, the North Korean leader stressed the importance of being ready to strike at the enemy's brain at any time when ordered.

Kim Jong Un and his wife appear in public together more frequently than their predecessors, although these appearances are still rare.

Thu Giang

(According to Sputnik)