Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has been elevated to a department head position within the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea at the ongoing party congress, as per state media reports. The Korean Central News Agency disclosed that Kim Yo-jong is among the 17 newly appointed department directors of the party’s central committee. Previously, she held the position of vice department director at the committee.
Experts speculate that Kim Yo-jong might be leading the propaganda department in her new role, where she has been actively involved. This new responsibility could involve overseeing inter-Korean relations or external strategies. The South Korean unification ministry official mentioned that they are closely monitoring whether Kim Yo-jong will be involved in handling relations with South Korea or external affairs.
During the plenary meeting, Kim Yo-jong was also reelected as an alternate member of the central committee’s political bureau, marking her return to the position after a five-year hiatus. The party congress, which commenced last Thursday, aims to review the policy outcomes of the previous 2021 congress and establish new objectives for the next five years, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
The recent session expanded the party’s secretariat to an 11-member body from the previous seven, potentially creating new roles for international affairs. This move aligns with the appointment of Kim Song-nam, the head of the party’s international affairs department, as a newly appointed secretary. The significant leadership changes are seen as part of a strategy to promote a generational shift and reinforce Kim’s state leadership and the party’s guidance.
