Views expressed in Opinion articles are exclusively the authors’ own and do not represent those of NK News.
In April, when Kim Jong Un’s absences began attracting international attention, some expressed doubts about the idea of his younger sister Kim Yo Jong replacing him.
The country has only known male leadership, with its revered female figures receiving such regard because of their loyalty, care, or support for those men.
In fact, there is little precedent in all of Korean history for women of such positions. Empress Myeongseong, for instance, may be a
Views expressed in Opinion articles are exclusively the authors’ own and do not represent those of NK News.
Rob York is director for regional affairs at the Pacific Forum. He previously worked as a production editor for The South China Morning Post and chief editor of NK News. He is also a Ph.D. candidate in Korean history at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.