Mike Pence Was Seated a Little Too Close to Kim Jong-uns Sister for Comfort
By Joshua Keating
Feb 09, 201811:58 AM
SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 09: Kim Yo Jong, top right, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, sits alongside Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of North Korean Parliament, and behind U.S. Vice President Mike Pence as she watches the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics at PyeongChang Olympic Stadium on February 9, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. (Photo by Patrick Semansky - Pool /Getty Images)"
Pool/Getty Images
Vice President Mike Pence was seated just a few feet away from Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, at Fridays Olympics opening ceremony but did not appear to interact with her. Earlier in the evening, Pence had
skipped a VIP dinner where he would have been expected to share a table with North Koreas ceremonial head of state, Kim Yong-nam (no relation to the ruling family).
Dubbed
Kim Jong-uns Ivanka by the fascinated South Korean press because of her perceived influence within his government, Kim Yo-jong is the youngest child of former leader Kim Jong-il. Shes about 30, though as with most members of the Kim family, her exact birthday is a
bit of a mystery. Last year, she became the youngest member of the Politburo, the top decision-making body of North Koreas ruling party, and is officially the deputy director of the partys Propaganda and Agitation Department, responsible for managing her brothers image.
Read more:
Pence has a close encounter with Kim Jong-uns sister at Olympics.
The Associated Press
Kim Yo Jong, center, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, arrives at the Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea, Friday, Feb. 9, 2018.
Who is Kim Yo Jong? Kim Jong Un's mysterious sister readies for her close-up at the Winter Olympics
Kim Jong Un's sister set to make appearance at Pyeongchang Olympics
Patrick Semansky/Getty Images
Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, arrives at the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at PyeongChang Olympic Stadium, Feb. 9, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea.
Yonhap/REUTERS
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and wife Kim Jung-sook, North Korea's Kim Yong Nam, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong wave at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Pyeongchang, South Korea Feb. 9, 2018.
Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
Kim Yo-Jong shakes hands with President of South Korea, Moon Jae-in during the Opening Ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at PyeongChang Olympic Stadium on Feb. 9, 2018
Patrick Semansky/AFP/Getty Images
Vice President Mike Pence, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, North Korea's ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam (back L) and Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong watch the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games Feb. 9, 2018.
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