Kim Jong Un promotes sister to center of power

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Kim Yo Jong, sister of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un, was made an alternate member of the Worker's Party Politburo – the country's top decision-making body – following a meeting of the Central Committee on Saturday.

The change in personnel in the country’s ruling center of power came hours after US President Donald Trump said "only one thing will work" in dealing with the isolated country.

DPRK's leader Kim Jong Un speaks during the Second Plenum of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang, October 8, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Trump did not make clear to what he was referring, but his comments seemed to be a further suggestion that military action was on his mind.

The politburo is presided by Kim Jong Un. Alongside Kim, the promotion makes Kim Yo Jong the only other millennial member of the influential body.

Her new position indicates the 28-year-old has become a replacement for Kim Jong Un's aunt, Kim Kyong Hui, who had been a key decision maker when former leader Kim Jong Il was alive.

Reuters Photo

Kim Jong Sik, a former top air force general and Ri Pyong Chol, a rocket scientist, two men behind DPRK’s rocket program, Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho as well as several other high-ranking cadres were also promoted to the Central Committee, state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) announced.

Republic of Korea’s Unification Ministry said the reshuffle could be an attempt by Pyongyang to navigate a way through its increasing isolation.

"The large-scale personnel reshuffle reflects that Kim Jong Un is taking the current situation seriously, and that he's looking for a breakthrough by promoting a new generation of politicians," the ministry said in a statement.

Source(s): Reuters