Kim Yo-jong, the Deputy Director of North Korea’s Workers’ Party, has re-entered the party’s core power structure after being elected as an alternate member of the Politburo during the 1st Plenary Session of the 9th Central Committee. This marks her return after a five-year absence from the list of alternate members following the 8th Party Congress.
According to the Politburo membership list released by North Korea on Tuesday, Kim has been included as an alternate member. While not full members, alternate members can attend key meetings and voice their opinions on important matters.
Kim initially joined the Politburo as an alternate member in 2017. Her absence from the list at the 8th Party Congress in 2021 sparked speculation about a potential shift in her status. However, she has continued to play a crucial role in shaping North Korea’s external strategy, personally issuing statements regarding South Korea and the U.S.
Kim has also been named among the department heads at the ministerial level within the Central Committee, though her specific department remains undisclosed. The party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, simply referred to her as Comrade Kim Yo-jong.
While Kim’s status has been restored, she was not promoted to full member of the Politburo nor included in the Standing Committee, indicating she has not yet reached the highest echelons of decision-making. As a result, some analysts suggest that her rise in the power hierarchy, while significant, may not be as dramatic as it appears at first glance.