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Kim Jong Un's sister makes rare public appearance

South Korea media reported her absence coincided with the third trimester of her possible pregnancy.

By Elizabeth Shim
On Friday North Korea’s state-controlled media outlet KCNA transmitted footage of Kim Yo Jung touring new construction in progress at a tree nursery along with her brother Kim Jong Un. File Photo by KCNA/Yonhap
1 of 2 | On Friday North Korea’s state-controlled media outlet KCNA transmitted footage of Kim Yo Jung touring new construction in progress at a tree nursery along with her brother Kim Jong Un. File Photo by KCNA/Yonhap

SEOUL, May 28 (UPI) -- Kim Jong Un's enigmatic younger sister appeared in public for the first time in 47 days.

Kim Yo Jong appeared on Friday alongside her brother and an entourage of officials. Kim Yo Jung, who serves as North Korea's Workers' Party vice minister, appeared slimmer than in her last appearance, reported South Korean news agency Yonhap.

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South Korean newspaper Maeil Business reported her absence coincided with the third trimester of her possible pregnancy, and the birth of her first child.

On Friday North Korea's state-controlled media outlet KCNA transmitted footage of the Kim siblings touring new construction in progress at a tree nursery.

Hwang Pyong So, director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army, Pak Yong Sik, department director of the Ministry of People's Security, and North Korean official Ri Jae Il accompanied the two Kims.

North Korean Defense Minister Hyon Yong Chol, last seen on April 30, was not present. Seoul recently confirmed Hyon was purged, and possibly executed.

Kim Yo Jung was said to have accompanied the North Korean leader on a visit to Pyongyang's Sunan International Airport in April, but her whereabouts was not publicized, reported Yonhap.

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Kim Yo Jung's husband is most likely a former classmate at Kim Il Sung University.

During the visit to the tree nursery, under the supervision of the Korean People's Army, Kim Jong Un toured greenhouses and provided field guidance on a greenhouse annexation.

Deforestation poses grave risks to North Korea's environment and economy, and the North Korean leader has placed a priority on tree planting and reforestation.

Yonhap reported Kim Jong Un directly participated in tree-planting events last November, two months before he executed the government official responsible for North Korea's reforestation programs, according to Seoul.

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