Kim Jong-un's sister nominated to Politburo

Leader Kim Jong-un has appointed his sister to the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea, the country's top decision-making body.

Ms. Kim Yo-jong (far left) and Mr. Kim Jong-un (right). Photo: NKNews.

Kim Yo-jong, 28, was appointed an alternate member of the Politburo at yesterday's meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, according toKCNA.

Ms. Kim is vice director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department of the Workers' Party of Korea. In April, she appeared with her brother, leader Kim Jong-un, at a military parade marking the birthday of the country's founder, Kim Il-sung.

She is said to be close to her brother and attended school with him in Switzerland. Thae Yong-ho, a former North Korean diplomat in Britain who defected last year, said Kim was responsible for organizing all major events in North Korea.

The appointment sees Kim Jong-un's younger sister replace his aunt, Kim Kyong-hee, who played a key decision-making role when former leader Kim Jong-il was alive. Kim's appointment of his sister is seen as a move to further consolidate power, according toReuters.

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho, who last month called US leader Donald Trump "evil president" in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly, was also promoted to member of the Politburo.

"It is now safe to say that Ri is one of North Korea's top decision-makers," said Michael Madden, a North Korea expert at Johns Hopkins University. "Even if he has informal meetings or meetings that are off the record, Ri's interlocutors can be assured that any proposals they make will be relayed directly to the top."

In a speech to the Central Committee, Mr. Kim said nuclear weapons were a “powerful deterrent” that guaranteed North Korea’s sovereignty. In recent weeks, North Korea has fired two missiles over Japan, conducted its sixth nuclear test and may be rapidly advancing toward its goal of developing a nuclear-tipped missile that can reach the United States.

North Korea is preparing to test-launch such a missile, according to a Russian lawmaker who recently returned from a visit to Pyongyang. President Trump has previously said the US would “totally destroy” North Korea if necessary to defend itself and its allies.

According to VNE