Ri Sol-ju

In this Korean name, the family name is Ri.
Respected First Lady
Ri Sol-ju
리설주
Ri in 2018
First Lady of North Korea
Incumbent
Assumed role
15 April 2018
Supreme LeaderKim Jong Un
Preceded byKim Song-ae
Personal details
Bornc. 1985–1989 (age 34–39)
Chongjin, North Hamgyong Province, North Korea[1]
Spouse
​
(m. 2009)​
Children2 unconfirmed,
1 confirmed: Kim Ju-ae
Alma materKim Il Sung University
Korean name
Chosŏn'gŭl
리설주
Hancha
李雪主
Revised RomanizationRi Seolju
McCune–ReischauerRi Sŏlju

Ri Sol-ju (Korean: 리설주; born c. 1985–1989)[2][3][4] is the current First Lady of North Korea as the wife of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.[5]

Little is known about her from official North Korean sources, but outside sources have speculated more about her background. While she has made many public appearances with her husband, she has also spent long periods out of the public eye. In April 2018, state media had announced that her new title had been elevated from merely "Comrade" (동무) to "Respected First Lady" (존경하는 녀사) – considered a significant honor and the first time the title has been used since 1974.[6] At the same time, she began to take on a diplomatic role.

  1. ^ "Ri Sol Ju: What We Know About Kim Jong Un's Wife". Wall Street Journal (in Korean). 17 February 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  2. ^ "First lady publicity latest sign of N.K. change". The Korea Herald. 26 July 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  3. ^ "N. Korean leader's wife visited S. Korea in 2005: spy agency". Yonhap News Agency. 26 July 2012. Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference cho was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Choe, Sang-hun (26 July 2012). "That Mystery Woman in North Korea? Turns Out She's First Lady". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 26 July 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference firstlady was invoked but never defined (see the help page).