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SEOUL, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Kim Jong Un's powerful younger sister may be placed on a sanctions blacklist by the South Korean government. Seoul's unification ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-hee told reporters Monday Seoul is "carefully considering" whether Kim Yo Jong should be a target of unilateral sanctions.
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The younger Kim holds positions of power in the North Korean government and is frequently seen by her brother's side during state trips around the country.
In May, she was appointed to the central committee of the Korean Workers' Party.
As deputy director of the Workers' Party, she handles top priorities on behalf of North Korea's propaganda department.
Kim Yo Jong made her political debut in March 2014, when her name was mentioned following the election results of the Supreme People's Assembly.
On Monday, Jeong denied press reports that Seoul was preparing for sanctions against her. Officials are at an early stage of "review."
"Whether to add her to the sanctions list is one of the options that are carefully being reviewed...But it is not the time to reveal specifics," the spokesman said.
Jeong also said he did not have any details on whether the North Korean leader would be the target of unilateral South Korean sanctions.
In March South Korea placed financial sanctions against 40 North Korean nationals and 30 Pyongyang organizations, immediately after the passage of a United Nations Security Council sanctions Resolution 2270 on March 2.
Jeong also said North Korea's propaganda outlets have been communicating a distorted report on the scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her longtime acquaintance Choi Soon-sil. The broadcasting of secret numbers to recipients in the South have increased in October and November, he added.
Kim Yo Jong plays a key role in North Korea propaganda and is, according to Seoul's spy agency, abusing her power.
South Korean network TV Chosun reported in October Kim frequently punishes her subordinates for the slightest mistakes.
