Kim Yeo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a sparse public appearance where she was seen sitting beside top North Korea officials at Worker’s Party congress.

According to a report by The Chosun Ilbo, a South Korean newspaper, a picture which appeared Friday, on the state-run North Korean newspaper Rodong Sinmun, showed Yeo Jong, standing in the first row, clapping with the other officials while her brother was addressing the meeting.

The report further stated that she was sitting beside Kim’s right-hand man, Choe Ryong Hae, and other Worker’s Party secretaries. The picture suggested that fact that Yeo Jong had been included in the top political brass of the nation.

Dr. Nam Sung Wook, director of the Center for North Koreanology at the Asiatic Research Institute, Korea University, stated the fact Jong Un’s right-hand man, Hae was responsible for purging his enemies who belonged to the political class of the North Korean government.

Wook reportedly said: "The only person who can keep Choe [Ryong Hae] in check is Kim Jong Un's own flesh and blood Kim Yeo Jong."

Wook also stated that Yeo Jong might have been promoted to keep potential challengers in check and also lessen the burden on her brother, Kim.

Wook’s reason for Yeo Jong’s promotion might just be true. This is because, Yeo Jong, in Sep. 2016 was apparently responsible for purging high-ranking party officials and sent them to a “re-education” session.

According to a Sep. 2016 report by The Chosun Ilbo, Yeo-Jong held the post of Vice Director of the Workers Party’s Propaganda and Agitation Department since Nov. 2014 where she was responsible for creating a personality cult surrounding her brother.

According to intelligence sources, she sent three experienced party officials- Kim Ki Nam (87), Ri Jae Il (81) and Choe Hwi (62)-off for re-education. All three officials occupied higher positions than Yeo Jong.

Re-education usually included labor work at chicken farms and at rural plantations, the report stated.

A source in the Workers Party’s Propaganda and Agitation Department reportedly said that the department was “filled with lamentations since Kim Yeo-jong became a part of it.”

“It was unheard of for such senior officials to undergo re-education at the same time,” added the source.

According to a report in October by The Chosun Ilbo, Kim promoted Yeo Jong to the Workers Party’s politburo.

According to a report by The Telegraph, the promotion of Yeo Jong to the politburo was perceived by experts as a generational shift where Kim was looking to move beyond the boundaries of his Kim Jong Il’s inner court.

The report further stated that Kim trusted Yeo Jong to a huge extent. As Yeo Jong was the leader of the Workers Party’s propaganda department, she was pivotal in creating a cult status which surrounds Kim’s personality and she also tried to portray her brother as a compassionate ruler.

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