North Korea to celebrate Workers Party anniversary as fears of new weapons test mount
Kim Yo Jong, the younger sister of North Korea’s leader has been promoted in a cabinet reshuffle as the country marks the founding of the Korean Worker’s Party today amid fears of yet another missile test.
The threat was reiterated Friday when a Russian delegation visiting Pyongyang provided unverified reports that a long-range missile test is imminent. However, all eyes are on Ms Yo Jong as she becomes an alternate member of the politburo – the highest decision-making body in the regime.
The move comes as Kim tightens his grip on the party at a time of high tension over his nuclear testing. She has fared better than the leader’s half-brother, Kim Jong Nam, who was murdered in February and an uncle, Jang Song Thaek, who was executed in 2013. Both Nam and Thaek were reportedly backed by Beijing.
Relations with China have slowly deteriorated in the past year over Pyongyang’s ongoing nuclear tests. This promotion is likely a warning to Beijing that he, not China, controls his family.
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