North Korea’s First Lady Appears Pregnant
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Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images(SEOUL, South Korea) — Is a fourth generation Kim in sight for North Korea’s ruling family?
In film footage released this week, first lady Ri Sol-Ju appeared for the first time in two months with a visible baby bump. Ri and her husband Kim Jong Un were filmed together at a musical concert to mark the 60th anniversary of the Kim Il Sung Military University.
Kim is the grandson of the communist nation’s founder Kim Il Sung. He took power following his father Kim Jong Il’s death in December.
Speculation had been swirling that Ri was either pregnant or put under house arrest for her excessive cheerful attitude in public. The rumor was that the state elders preferred a more conservative wife for their young leader who is believed to be 29 or 30 years old, according to South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo.
Ri had been seen on North Korean media during the summer with her husband in state events. Her sense of fashion — colorful suits, polka-dot dresses, heels and even a Christian Dior bag — and public display of affection, like holding hands or walking arm-in-arm with the leader, had surprised North Korean watchers.
But just when all were wondering where the ex-singer-turned-first lady had gone, she came back wearing an elegant knee-length cream jacket with matching strap covering her belly bump. It may be her second child as there are rumors that the couple already have a son or daughter.
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