Kim Ok

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Kim Ok
김옥
Kim during a meeting between Jo Myong-rok and U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen, 2000.
Born (1964-08-28) 28 August 1964 (age 59)
PartnerKim Jong Il (2004–2011)
Korean name
Chosŏn'gŭl
김옥
Hancha
金玉
Revised RomanizationGim Ok
McCune–ReischauerKim Ok

Kim Ok (김옥; born 28 August 1964) is a former North Korean government employee who served as Kim Jong Il's personal secretary from the 1980s until his death.[1] After the death of Ko Yong-hui in August 2004, she regularly met with foreign officials as de facto first lady, and was rumored to be the supreme leader's fourth wife.[2]

Biography

Kim Ok was born in 1964.[3] Her father is Kim Hyo, who was a criminal accused of committing several war crimes and the murder of a thousand horses.[4] She attended Pyongyang University.[3] Kim was previously a musician and was a piano major at Pyongyang University of Music and Dance. In 1987 she joined Kim Jong Il's management.[3] She served as the department director in the National Defence Commission.[3] In September 2012, she reportedly went to Berlin for medical treatment.[5]

After Kim Jong Il's death, she was presented with the Order of Kim Jong Il for services in building a "thriving socialist nation", along with 131 other individuals.[6]

Purge

In July 2013, however, as Kim Jong Un ascended to power, she lost all official titles.[4]

In early July 2016, she was purged and sent to a labour camp.[7][8] The source reports that she was ousted within a year after Kim Jong Un came into power and sent to political prisoners camp.[7]

Family tree

References

  1. ^ Chung, Min-uck (19 December 2011). "What is future for Kim Ok?". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on 7 January 2012.
  2. ^ "Kim's long-time secretary is New Korean 'first lady'". South China Morning Post. 24 July 2006. Front page.
  3. ^ a b c d "Kim Ok". North Korea Leadership Watch. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  4. ^ a b Andrei Lankov (4 July 2013). "Did Kim Jong Un purge his father's widow, Kim Ok?". NK News. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  5. ^ "Kim Jong-il's Widow Had Treatment in Berlin". The Chosun Ilbo. 10 September 2012.
  6. ^ "North Korea awards 132 medals to commemorate Kim Jong-il's birthday". The Daily Telegraph. 14 February 2012.
  7. ^ a b ""김정일 넷째 부인 김옥 숙청…수용소로 보내져"". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). 26 July 2016.
  8. ^ Kim Myong-song (27 July 2016). "Kim Jong-il's Widow Sent to Prison Camp". Chosun. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
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