Kim Jong-un's sister has been promoted to the top ranks of the North Korean ruling class.
ADVERTISEMENTNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un has promoted his sister to a senior ruling party post, state media announced.
Kim Yo-Jong Workers’ Party of Korea has been promoted to a position in the politburo – North Korea’s top decision-making body.
The appointment further consolidates the family’s power in North Korea.
It also suggests that the 28-year-old has replaced Kim Jong-un’s aunt, Kim Kyong Hee, who was a key decision maker under former leader Kim Jong-il’s rule.
It comes as North Korea faces increasing global pressure to curb its weapons drive following recent nuclear and missile tests.
Kim Yo-Jung has frequently been seen accompanying her brother on his “field guidance trips” and other events.
The US treasury blacklisted Kim Yo-jong along with other North Korean officials for “severe human rights abuses” in January.
Both were born to the late Kim Jong-il and his third partner, Ko Yong-Hui.
The family has ruled North Korea since its creation in 1948.
Kim Jong-un took over as leader after his father’s death in 2011.
His grip on power has been cemented after recent purges targeting his uncle and half-brother.
In a speech to the ruling Workers’ Party on Saturday, the North Korean leader said the country’s nuclear weapons were a “powerful deterrent” which guarantee its sovereignty.
His comments came hours after US President Donald Trump said “only one thing will work” in dealing with the increasingly isolated country.
Trump did not clarify his comments, but it seemed to be a further suggestion that he was thinking about military action.
In recent weeks North Korea has launched two missiles over Japan and conducted its sixth nuclear test.