Kim Kyong-hui
Encyclopedia
General
Kim Kyong-hui is the daughter of Kim Il-sung
and his first wife Kim Jong-suk
, and the sister of the leader of North Korea
, Kim Jong-il
. An important member of Kim Jong-il's inner circle of trusted friends and advisors, she has been director of the Light Industry Department of the Workers' Party of Korea
since 1988. Her husband is Chang Song-taek.
on 30 May 1946, the last child of the marriage between Kim Il-sung
and Kim Jong-suk
. After a brief period spent in Jilin Province of the People's Republic of China
due to the Korean War
, Kim Kyong-hui returned in Pyongyang with her brother Kim Jong-il
. She entered Kim Il-sung University in 1963, studying political economy
. It was here she met Chang Sung-taek
, and continued dating him also after he moved to Wonsan
, allegedly because Kim family opposed their relationship, and the two eventually married in 1972. She attended the Kim Il-sung Higher Party School in 1966 and went to study at the Moscow State University
in 1968.
Kim Kyong-hui's political career began in 1971 with a position in the Korean Democratic Women's Union, and in 1975 she was transferred to the post of vice-director of the International Liaison Department of the Workers' Party of Korea
, promoted to first vice-director in 1976. It was the period when North Korea was establishing diplomatic relations with a number of capitalist countries like Thailand
and Singapore
, as well as the United Nations
; Kim Kyong-hui oversaw the placement of qualified diplomatic personnel during her tenure as International Department vice-director.
In 1988 she was promoted to WPK Central Committee
member and director of the Light Industry Department. In 1990 she was elected deputy to the Supreme People's Assembly
for the first time. Her role was particularly significant as she led the Economic Policy Inspection Department, then again the Light Industry Department during the "Arduous March" period after Kim Il-sung's death.
Kim Kyong-hui disappeared from limelight in 2003, in the same period when Chang Sung-taek was apparently purged as well. However, while her husband resurfaced with a high-level position in 2007, she did not appear in public until 2009, playing a more and more prominent role, accompanying Kim Jong-il to several inspection tours and attending official events.
On 27 September 2010, it was announced that she was made a general
in the Korean People's Army
. This concurred with Kim Jong-un's promotion to the same rank. A day later the 3rd Conference of the Workers' Party elected her as a member of the Political Bureau which is the central organization of the party.
According to South Korean
sources, she also works as Kim Jong-il's personal aide. Her influential position in North Korean echelons (also confirmed by Kenji Fujimori
) allows her to maintain close relations with President Kim Yong-nam
of the SPA Presidium
, WPK Secretaries Choe Thae-bok
and Kim Ki Nam
, and Director Kim Yang-gon of the WPK United Front Department. In addition, her post as head of the Light Industry Department gives her a prominent role in shaping North Korean economic policy as it is currently shifting its focus on developing light industry.
In 2010, a hamburger restaurant owned entirely by Kim Kyong-hui opened in Pyongyang
. Since burgers are considered American food, the restaurant does not market them as "burgers," instead calling them "minced meat and bread." It is the first hamburger franchise in Pyongyang.
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
Kim Kyong-hui is the daughter of Kim Il-sung
Kim Il-sung
Kim Il-sung was a Korean communist politician who led the Democratic People's Republic of Korea from its founding in 1948 until his death in 1994. He held the posts of Prime Minister from 1948 to 1972 and President from 1972 to his death...
and his first wife Kim Jong-suk
Kim Jong-suk
Kim Jong-suk was a Korean independence activist and Communist politician. She was North Korean Great Leader Kim Il-sung's first wife and Kim Jong-il's mother.-Biography:...
, and the sister of the leader of North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
, Kim Jong-il
Kim Jong-il
Kim Jong-il, also written as Kim Jong Il, birth name Yuri Irsenovich Kim born 16 February 1941 or 16 February 1942 , is the Supreme Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea...
. An important member of Kim Jong-il's inner circle of trusted friends and advisors, she has been director of the Light Industry Department of the Workers' Party of Korea
Workers' Party of Korea
The Workers' Party of Korea is the ruling Communist party of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , commonly known as North Korea. It is also called the Korean Workers' Party...
since 1988. Her husband is Chang Song-taek.
Biography
Kim Kyong-hui was born in PyongyangPyongyang
Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River and, according to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, has a population of 3,255,388. The city was...
on 30 May 1946, the last child of the marriage between Kim Il-sung
Kim Il-sung
Kim Il-sung was a Korean communist politician who led the Democratic People's Republic of Korea from its founding in 1948 until his death in 1994. He held the posts of Prime Minister from 1948 to 1972 and President from 1972 to his death...
and Kim Jong-suk
Kim Jong-suk
Kim Jong-suk was a Korean independence activist and Communist politician. She was North Korean Great Leader Kim Il-sung's first wife and Kim Jong-il's mother.-Biography:...
. After a brief period spent in Jilin Province of the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
due to the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, Kim Kyong-hui returned in Pyongyang with her brother Kim Jong-il
Kim Jong-il
Kim Jong-il, also written as Kim Jong Il, birth name Yuri Irsenovich Kim born 16 February 1941 or 16 February 1942 , is the Supreme Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea...
. She entered Kim Il-sung University in 1963, studying political economy
Political economy
Political economy originally was the term for studying production, buying, and selling, and their relations with law, custom, and government, as well as with the distribution of national income and wealth, including through the budget process. Political economy originated in moral philosophy...
. It was here she met Chang Sung-taek
Chang Sung-taek
Chang Sung-taek, is a North Korean politician and the brother-in-law of Kim Jong-il. He is a leading figure in the North Korean government, and South Korean government officials and academic North Korea watchers suggested that he may have taken on de facto leadership over North Korea due to Kim...
, and continued dating him also after he moved to Wonsan
Wonsan
Wŏnsan is a port city and naval base in southeastern North Korea. It is the capital of Kangwŏn Province. The population of the city is estimated to have been 331,000 in 2000. Notable people from Wŏnsan include Kim Ki Nam, diplomat and Secretary of the Workers' Party.- History :The original name of...
, allegedly because Kim family opposed their relationship, and the two eventually married in 1972. She attended the Kim Il-sung Higher Party School in 1966 and went to study at the Moscow State University
Moscow State University
Lomonosov Moscow State University , previously known as Lomonosov University or MSU , is the largest university in Russia. Founded in 1755, it also claims to be one of the oldest university in Russia and to have the tallest educational building in the world. Its current rector is Viktor Sadovnichiy...
in 1968.
Kim Kyong-hui's political career began in 1971 with a position in the Korean Democratic Women's Union, and in 1975 she was transferred to the post of vice-director of the International Liaison Department of the Workers' Party of Korea
Workers' Party of Korea
The Workers' Party of Korea is the ruling Communist party of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , commonly known as North Korea. It is also called the Korean Workers' Party...
, promoted to first vice-director in 1976. It was the period when North Korea was establishing diplomatic relations with a number of capitalist countries like Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, as well as the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
; Kim Kyong-hui oversaw the placement of qualified diplomatic personnel during her tenure as International Department vice-director.
In 1988 she was promoted to WPK Central Committee
Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea
The Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea is the leadership body of the Workers' Party of Korea. According to Party rules, the Central Committee directs the Party work between the Party Congresses...
member and director of the Light Industry Department. In 1990 she was elected deputy to the Supreme People's Assembly
Supreme People's Assembly
The Supreme People's Assembly is the unicameral parliament of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , commonly known as North Korea...
for the first time. Her role was particularly significant as she led the Economic Policy Inspection Department, then again the Light Industry Department during the "Arduous March" period after Kim Il-sung's death.
Kim Kyong-hui disappeared from limelight in 2003, in the same period when Chang Sung-taek was apparently purged as well. However, while her husband resurfaced with a high-level position in 2007, she did not appear in public until 2009, playing a more and more prominent role, accompanying Kim Jong-il to several inspection tours and attending official events.
On 27 September 2010, it was announced that she was made a general
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
in the Korean People's Army
Korean People's Army
The Korean People's Army , also known as the Inmin Gun, are the military forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim Jong-il is the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and Chairman of the National Defence Commission...
. This concurred with Kim Jong-un's promotion to the same rank. A day later the 3rd Conference of the Workers' Party elected her as a member of the Political Bureau which is the central organization of the party.
According to South Korean
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
sources, she also works as Kim Jong-il's personal aide. Her influential position in North Korean echelons (also confirmed by Kenji Fujimori
Kenji Fujimori
Kenji Gerardo Fujimori Higuchi is a Peruvian businessman and fujimorist politician. He is the son of Alberto Fujimori, authoritarian president of Peru from 1990 to 2001, and the brother of Fuerza 2011 leader Keiko Fujimori...
) allows her to maintain close relations with President Kim Yong-nam
Kim Yong-nam
Kim Yong-nam is the current North Korean Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, a position held since 1998. He was elected a member of the presidium of the politburo of the central committee of the Workers' Party of Korea in 2010.He was born in the Central District, Heijo ,...
of the SPA Presidium
Supreme People's Assembly
The Supreme People's Assembly is the unicameral parliament of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea , commonly known as North Korea...
, WPK Secretaries Choe Thae-bok
Choe Thae-bok
Choe Thae-bok is a North Korean politician. He is a member of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Workers' Party of Korea, and has been Chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly since September 1998...
and Kim Ki Nam
Kim Ki Nam
Kim Ki-nam is a North Korean official. He is vice-chairman of the Committee for Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, in which capacity he has led numerous visits to the South. He is also Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, and has served several terms in the Supreme People's Assembly,...
, and Director Kim Yang-gon of the WPK United Front Department. In addition, her post as head of the Light Industry Department gives her a prominent role in shaping North Korean economic policy as it is currently shifting its focus on developing light industry.
In 2010, a hamburger restaurant owned entirely by Kim Kyong-hui opened in Pyongyang
Pyongyang
Pyongyang is the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly known as North Korea, and the largest city in the country. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River and, according to preliminary results from the 2008 population census, has a population of 3,255,388. The city was...
. Since burgers are considered American food, the restaurant does not market them as "burgers," instead calling them "minced meat and bread." It is the first hamburger franchise in Pyongyang.