Who is the mysterious woman who follows Kim Jong Un?

A mysterious woman was found following him Kim Jong Un, amid growing speculation that another member of his family has come to light. The woman, who has been temporarily identified as Kim Sol-Song, and allegedly half-sister of the North Korean leader, has been seen watching the dictator on various recent occasions.

He appears to be around 30 or 40, wearing glasses and holding a large bag. He has also been spotted leaving Kim Jong Un’s Mercedes and was seen delivering his speech at a large political rally in February.

Michael Madden, a leading expert on its elite North Korea, suggested that he may belong to the close circle of the leader. “We do not know what job or function this person is performing,” he told the Daily Mail.

But since he was spotted leaving Kim Jong Un’s personal car at an event, it makes sense to work directly for him in his executive office.

“Kim Jong Un has four or five people – men and women – working as his administrative and personal assistants. “This woman may be his personal secretary,” the report said.

Kim Sol-Song: A woman with rich experience in the North Korean elite

If the woman in question is 47-year-old Kim Sol-Song, she has rich experience in her role.

She served her father, former leader Kim Jong-il, as event director before his death in 2011.

Mr Madden – who runs the North Korea Leadership Watch – described the post as “critical”. He said: “It includes the coordination of the leader’s program, its security settings, the protocol and the requirements for coverage by the press, etc. “In a political culture like North Korea, it’s a pretty critical job, as this person controls which elite North Koreans have access to the leader – at least for public events.”

Kim Sol-Song is also said to have served Kim Il Sung – her grandfather and the country’s founder – as a foreign language interpreter. Some of its sources attribute further roles to the regime’s propaganda and defense departments.

Mr Madden added: “When Kim Jong Un took over the leadership ten years ago, he was a key political supporter of the elite and provided effective support for his succession and transition.”

The leader’s half-sister, Kim Yo-jong, already has a public role in the North Korean regime. Kim Sol-Song, however, has so far avoided the limelight – although Mr Maden has said that does not necessarily diminish her influence.

He said: “Kim Sol-Song has never been a public figure in the North Korean media and in political culture. Unlike other political cultures in the world, the North Korean elite does not necessarily need a public profile to consolidate its power or influence. “But it would certainly be quite exciting if he switched to a public role and to reflect on the internal dynamics behind this kind of movement.”