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The North Korean leader’s wife, Kim Jong Un, appeared publicly for the first time in more than a year, according to state media.
Ri Sol-ju joined her husband at a concert on Tuesday to celebrate the birthday of Kim’s late father and former leader Kim Jong Il.
Ri has accompanied Kim to major events in the past, but has not been seen since January of last year.
Her absence has sparked speculation about her health or possible pregnancy.
The South Korean National Intelligence Service informed members of Congress yesterday that Ri was avoiding public appearances due to COVID-19 fears and that she may have been spending time with her children.
North Korea has not officially reported any COVID-19 cases, although experts say it is unlikely to have any cases.
The couple entered the Mansudai Arts Theater together on Tuesday, according to the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, amid “loud cheers.”
The photos showed the couple laughing, in addition to a clear lack of masks and social distancing measures.
Since she Re-Civil?
Ri comes from an upper-class family, where her father was a teacher and her mother an obstetrician, according to analyst Cheung Seung-chang.
Media reports say that Rei, who is said to be 31 years old, was previously a singer with the Unahasu Orchestra, the elite group whose members are chosen by the state.
Cheung adds that he believes he married Kim in 2009, and that the late President Kim Jong Il arranged the marriage in a hurry after he suffered a stroke in 2008.
The couple, according to South Korean intelligence, have three children.
Former American basketball star Dennis Rodman had previously revealed that the couple had a baby girl named “Jo A”, adding that Kim was a “good father” to her.
Earlier in the day, Kim visited the Komusan Palace of the Sun, where the tomb of his father and grandfather is located, to lay wreaths on the anniversary known as Bright Star Day.
State media once again referred to Kim as “president,” a departure from his usual official title of “leader.”
North Korea’s Central News Agency first used the president’s title last week.
The title of president in North Korea is usually assigned to the late Kim Il-sung, the founder of the state and Kim’s grandfather.