Kim Song-ae
Encyclopedia
Kim Sŏng-ae was the second wife of the late North Korea
n leader, president Kim Il-sung
. They became husband and wife in 1952, following the death of Kim Il-sung's first wife in 1949, although due to the Korean War
no formal ceremony was held. One source indicates Kim Il Sung had had an affair with her even before his first wife died. She gave birth to a daughter (Kim Kyong-jin, 1953) and two sons (Kim Pyong-il
, 1955; Kim Yong-il, 1957). She later rose in political power, becoming vice-chairwoman of the Central Committee of the Korean Women's Association (조선여성총동맹) in the mid-1960s and chairwoman in the 1970s. She held that post until resigning in 1998; since that time, little information about her has reached the outside world.
There are rumors that she was killed in car accident in Beijing
in June 2001. Other reports claim she is still alive as of July 2011, though in poor health, and that Kim Pyong-il
returned to Pyongyang from his posting in Poland to visit her.
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...
n leader, president 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...
. They became husband and wife in 1952, following the death of Kim Il-sung's first wife in 1949, although 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...
no formal ceremony was held. One source indicates Kim Il Sung had had an affair with her even before his first wife died. She gave birth to a daughter (Kim Kyong-jin, 1953) and two sons (Kim Pyong-il
Kim Pyong-il
Kim Pyong-il is the half-brother of the current leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-il, and the son of former leader Kim Il-sung.-Family background and early life:Kim was born to Kim Il-sung and Kim Song-ae, Kim Il-sung's former secretary...
, 1955; Kim Yong-il, 1957). She later rose in political power, becoming vice-chairwoman of the Central Committee of the Korean Women's Association (조선여성총동맹) in the mid-1960s and chairwoman in the 1970s. She held that post until resigning in 1998; since that time, little information about her has reached the outside world.
There are rumors that she was killed in car accident in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
in June 2001. Other reports claim she is still alive as of July 2011, though in poor health, and that Kim Pyong-il
Kim Pyong-il
Kim Pyong-il is the half-brother of the current leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-il, and the son of former leader Kim Il-sung.-Family background and early life:Kim was born to Kim Il-sung and Kim Song-ae, Kim Il-sung's former secretary...
returned to Pyongyang from his posting in Poland to visit her.