Revealing the 'female conductor' of major ceremonies in North Korea

Kim Yo-jong was repeatedly mentioned by North Korean media as the "conductor" of the ceremonies celebrating the 105th birthday of late leader Kim Il-sung on April 15.

Last year, Kim Yo-jong was seen appearing with her brother Kim Jong Un at official state events, but this year she has been largely absent.

Kim Yo-jong holds a notebook next to her brother Kim Jong-un during a ceremony to celebrate the 105th birthday of late leader Kim Il-sung. Photo taken from video provided by Korean Central Television.

Kim Yo-jong is currently the deputy director of the Propaganda and Agitation Department of the Workers' Party of Korea, and is one of her brother's most trusted advisers, according to South Korean newspaper Chosun.

Kim Yo-jong was seen bustling backstage as cameras focused on key North Korean officials at the April 15 ceremony. Dressed in black and holding a notebook, she stood next to leader Kim Jong Un as the parade began, seemingly explaining the sequence of events to her brother.

Kim Yo-jong accompanied her brother on an inspection tour. Photo: EPA

After her brother reviewed the troops and discussed something with senior official Choe Ryong-hae, the woman walked behind.

Earlier, Kim Yo-jong was also seen signaling to the guards at the inauguration ceremony of Ryomyong Street - an avenue of skyscrapers in Pyongyang. She was presented with a bouquet of flowers.

"This shows that Kim Yo-jong is a key official responsible for security and protocol for Kim Jong-un," a North Korea researcher said.

Kim Yo-jong accompanied her brother on a visit to a kindergarten. Photo: EPA

According to the British newspaper Express, Kim Yo-jong was born on September 26, 1987, the second child of the late President Kim Jong Il and Ms. Ko Yong-hui. As a child, she lived with her brothers Kim Jong-chul and Kim Jong Un in the center of Pyongyang.

In 1996, Kim Yo-jong went to school in Berne, Switzerland, using the name Kim Yong Sun. A staff member at the school where they attended said that the North Korean girl was protected by “several men” who took her to and from school.

In Switzerland, the Kim siblings live in a house guarded by bodyguards. Kim Yo-jong's mother visits regularly, but their father remains in Pyongyang.

Kim Yo-jong among North Korean soldiers. Photo: KCNA

In 2000, Kim Yo-jong returned to North Korea to finish her studies. Details about her during this period are scarce. It is said that after her mother died in 2004, she studied at a Western European university.

In 2007, Kim Yo-jong was named a key member of the Workers' Party of Korea. After her father Kim Jong Il suffered a stroke in 2008, she became a key pillar in the campaign to install her brother Kim Jong Un as leader of the country.

Kim Yo-jong was a regular member of the inner circle of officials close to President Kim Jong Il until his death in December 2011.

According to Vietnamnet.vn