Kim Jong Un, the General Secretary of North Korea’s Workers’ Party, was joined by his wife Ri Sol-ju at the opening ceremony of a local industrial factory. This marks Ri’s first public appearance in six months, since last June. While Kim’s daughter Ju Ae also accompanied him, North Korean media coverage notably focused more on Ju Ae than on Ri.
On Tuesday, the state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported that a grand inauguration ceremony for a local industrial factory and comprehensive service center in Kangdong County had taken place the previous day, with Kim in attendance. This event marked Ri’s first appearance in North Korean media since she attended the opening of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area in June.
Photographs from the event showed Ri primarily staying close to Ju Ae rather than Kim. She appeared to be enthusiastically explaining something to her daughter, contradicting speculation that her reduced public visibility might indicate a decline in her political influence.
Instead of focusing on Kim, Ri seemed to prioritize her daughter. Notably, when Kim cut the ribbon at the inauguration, Ju Ae stood directly behind him while Ri stepped aside, allowing the spotlight to fall on both her daughter and the Supreme Leader.
Ju Ae made her debut on the international diplomatic stage during the Victory Day celebrations in Beijing, China, this past September. When she reappeared on November 30 after a three-month absence, she wore a black leather jacket similar to her father’s, emphasizing her charisma.
At this recent event, Ju Ae’s attire projected a mature appearance, suggesting she is gradually cultivating an image as a potential future leader.
