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To his knowledge, the North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun published the report and the relevant photos. Ri Sol Ju accompanied her husband on a visit to the Mansudae Theater in Pyongyang, where the event was held on the occasion of a public holiday, Bright Star Day.
She was last seen in public in January 2020 during a concert at the Samjiyon Theater in the North Korean capital. Until then, Ri Sol-ju often accompanied Kim Jong Una while traveling around the country and at other events.
Foreign experts have raised various versions of why they haven’t seen each other for a long time. Possible causes included malaise, pregnancy, or illness. South Korean intelligence officials said a few days ago that he was not visiting public places due to the dangers posed by the coronavirus.
Ri Sol Ju, who is believed to be in her 30s, saw a concert with his wife on the birthday of his late father and predecessor, Kim Jong Il.
The birthday of the second member of the Kim dynasty, who ruled North Korea, known as Bright Star Day, is one of the most important holidays in this isolated nuclear-armed country.
North Korea’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, has published photos of the first couple smiling widely, applauding the performers during a concert at the Pyongyang Arts Theater.
“When the Secretary General and his wife Ri Sol Ju arrived at the theater with music, the entire audience greeted them with a stormy shout of ‘Valio!’
All the spectators and artists seen in the photos were without masks.
Ri Sol Ju was last seen in public in January 2020 at an event dedicated to the New Year according to the Lunar Calendar.
Since the North Korean leader’s wife does not appear in public for a long time, it has been speculated that she may have been isolated to avoid any threat of coronavirus infection or is waiting.
Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol Ju are believed to have three children.
Poor North Korea has closed its borders since January last year in a bid to prevent a coronavirus pandemic that started in neighboring China and has so far cost more than 2.4 million people around the world. human lives.
Kim Jong Un has repeatedly claimed that there were no cases of coronavirus infection in his country, although experts question these statements.
Wednesday’s announcement and photos of the concert were released a day after South Korea’s national intelligence service informed lawmakers that Ri Sol Ju is spending time with children and is refraining from any public action due to the pandemic. of the coronavirus.
Before the recent disappearance of the publicity, Ri Sol Ju accompanied her spouse on a series of business trips across the country, during which she provides detailed information to officials, as well as meetings with foreign leaders, including South Korean President Moon. Jae-in and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
“For COVID-19, no foreign leaders visited North Korea last year, and Kim Jong Un did not take any trips that his wife should have accompanied him on,” Yang Moo-jin, professor at the University of North Korea Studies in Seoul. he told AFP.
“Ri Sol Ju seems to have focused on raising her children, looking after their safety and well-being,” she said.
Ri Sol Ju, a former famous singer, became the center of public attention in 2012. She and Kim Jong Uno’s sister and top adviser, Kim Yo Jong, are considered one of the most influential women in this isolated country and highly patriarchal.
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