Kim Yo Jong the new North Korean dictator amid Kim Jong Un's death rumors? Powerful sister in spotlight, may deploy more tactical weapons, restart loudspeaker broadcasts along South Korea border

Kim Yo Jong, the sister of the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has come into the spotlight amid rumors surrounding the health of her brother. Amid the buzz, she said in a statement on Monday that her country was considering deploying more tactical weapons and restarting loudspeaker broadcasts near the border with South Korea. The statement came amid wild rumors that Kim Jong Un had died and that his sister had taken charge of the government.

Kim Yo Jong warns South Korea

Referring to South Korea, Kim Yo Jong said: "The warmongers of the ROK military are seriously threatening the safety of our ​service personnel by firing warning shots at them with automatic rifles and large-calibre ​machine guns."


Tensions ⁠between the neighbours have flared since North Korea began fortifying its border in 2024. The countries are separated by the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which was established when the Korean war ended in an armistice in 1953.

Rumors about Kim Jong Un

There has been speculation around the all-powerful North Korean leader's health. The rumor spread like wildfire after Wanjun Xie, the chairman of the China Democracy Party, claimed that Kim Jong Un had died and Kim Yo Jong had taken power.

North Korea, on the other hand, has rejected the claims and released pictures of Kim Jong Un to counter them. The images published by the country's state media showed the leader shopping at a what appeared to be a garment and footwear store.

What is known about Kim Yo Jong?

Kim Yo Jong, who is believed to be in her late 30s and is the youngest known sibling of Kim Jong Un, holds crucial roles both in the government and the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). She was educated in Switzerland alongside Kim Jong Un, according to AFP.

In February this year, Yo Jong was promoted to the position of director for the General Affairs Department of the WPK Central Committee, which oversees the party's internal operations and administrative affairs. She is known as the North Korean regime's voice toward the outside world, and regularly hits out at South Korea in statements carried by the state media.

She is said to be one of Kim Jong Un's most trusted aides and there is speculation that she could become the country's first woman ruler. Described by experts as a seasoned politician, Yo Jong has served as a working-level official for Kim Jong Un's summits with US President Donald Trump in Singapore and Vietnam.