Mystery woman seen with North Korean leader stirs speculation

Speculations have grown over the personal life of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's personal life after he was seen with a woman recently.

According to Los Angeles Times, the same slender woman in her twenties, who was seen with Un at a concert in Pyongyang on Friday, was earlier seen with the leader at a memorial ceremony on Sunday marking the 18th death anniversary of his grandfather, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung.

The woman, who was dressed in a tailored black skirt suit, applauded and bowed in unison with Kim during both public appearances.

Her unexplained presence has set off speculation among analysts in the country about whether she might be his wife or perhaps his younger sister.

State media carried photos or footage of the couple at the two events, but none identified the mystery woman.

Cheong Seong-chang, a North Korea analyst at the Sejong Institute in South Korea, said that Kim has a sister. But the images of the woman with Kim didn't evoke much family resemblance.

Official biographies of Kim, believed to be in his late 20s, make no mention of his marital status.