A Year Of 'Disappearing' Kim Jong Un's Wife Appears With A Smile

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju (KCNA via REUTERS)

JAKARTA - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's wife, Ri Sol Ju, on Wednesday, February 17 appeared in state media for the first time in more than a year, accompanying her husband at a concert on the country's biggest holiday.

The North Korean Workers' Party's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, released a photo of the couple, Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol Ju, at an event held to commemorate the birthday of Kim's late father and former leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Il.

Ri Sol Ju often accompanies Kim Jong Un to big public events, but he hasn't been seen since January last year after attending a Chinese New Year holiday. This sparked speculation about her health condition and possible pregnancy.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) on Tuesday, February 16 told lawmakers that Ri Sol Ju appears to have refrained from outside activities to prevent contracting the coronavirus infection but "can still play well with her children".

Reported by Reuters from Antara, NIS believes that Ri and Kim already have three children. However, little is known to the public about Ri and Kim's three children.

North Korea has not confirmed any cases of COVID-19, but the NIS says the outbreak of the new coronavirus cannot be ruled out as it has active citizen visits with China - where COVID-19 cases were first detected, before closing borders early last year.

Ri and Kim smile as they watch a concert at the Mansudae Arts Theater in the capital Pyongyang. Unlike at several previous events, not a single person in the photo published by Rodong Sinmun appears to be wearing a mask or taking social distancing measures.

The newspaper also reported that Kim visited the Kumsusan Sun Palace, which holds the preserved bodies of her father and grandfather, to lay a wreath for the anniversary of the former North Korean leader, called Shining Star Day.