North Korean First Lady Ri Sol Ju makes first appearance since September

 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s wife, Ri Sol Ju, appeared in state media for the first time in over five months on Wednesday, as the ruling family kept a low profile throughout the coronavirus outbreak.

Kim and Ri watched a Lunar New Year art performance at Pyongyang’s Mansudae Art Theatre, according to the official KCNA news agency.

She was last seen in public on Sept. 9, when she accompanied her husband to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, which holds the embalmed remains of Kim’s late grandparents and father, on the country’s foundation anniversary.

“When (Kim) appeared at the auditorium of the theatre with his wife, Ri Sol Ju, amid the playing of the welcome music, the audience raised stormy cheers of ‘Hurrah!’” KCNA said.

It added the couple took the stage after the show to shake hands and take a photo with the artists.

Ri had once garnered international attention as she often accompanied Kim on social, business and even military outings, in a stark break from his father, Kim Jong Il, who was rarely seen in public with any of his wives.

She had disappeared from state media for more than a year before being seen attending a concert last February, fuelling speculation over her health and potential pregnancy.

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service told lawmakers that she apparently refrained from outside activities to prevent COVID-19 infections, but was “playing well with their kids.”

The spy agency believes Kim and Ri have three children, but little is publicly known about them.

North Korea has not confirmed any COVID-19 outbreaks.

But it closed its borders and took strict curbs including travel restrictions.