- Title: Kim Yo Jong: The North Korean leader's sister in the Hanoi Summit
- Date: 28th February 2019
- Summary: DONG DANG, LANG SON PROVINCE, VIETNAM (FEBRUARY 26, 2019) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** KIM YO JONG WALKING OUT AND BACK INSIDE TRAIN HANOI, VIETNAM (FEBRUARY 27, 2019) (REUTERS) KIM YO JONG WALKING INTO HOTEL
- Embargoed: 14th March 2019 07:54
- Keywords: Vietnam Hanoi Summit Kim Jong Un sister Kim Yo Jong
- Location: NANNING, CHINA / HANOI AND DONG DANG, VIETNAM
- City: NANNING, CHINA / HANOI AND DONG DANG, VIETNAM
- Country: Vietnam
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA002A3HUXXJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: From holding her brother's ashtray to giving directions to his staff, Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, is seen playing a unique role for the North Korean leader's visit in Hanoi.
Holding the title of vice director of the ruling Workers' Party, Kim Yo Jong is accompanying her brother in the Vietnamese capital to meet U.S. President Donald Trump, the second meeting of the two leaders.
Since her debut on state media in December 2011, the 29-year-old has quickly climbed the leadership ladder. She was named as an alternate member of the party's all-powerful politburo in late 2017, as the young leader tightens his grip by drawing his most important people closer to the centre of power.
Kim Yo Jong was ubiquitous even before her brother touched down in Hanoi on Tuesday (February 26) by train. Footage by Japanese broadcaster TBS showed Kim Yo Jong holding a crystal ashtray during a smoking break at a railway station in southern Chinese city of Nanning.
She was the first person to step out from the Train that took them to the Vietnamese border of Dong Dang alongside protocol chief Kim Chang Son.
She also appeared, at one point, to slightly push aside Kim Yong Chol, the leader's chief nuclear envoy and top aide, when she sprinted from the train toward Kim Jong Un and took the welcome flowers from him.
These were in line with Kim Jong Un's previous overseas trips and meetings, during which she handed over pens and gave instructions to his bodyguards, protocol officers and other staff.
Experts say the use of a personal ashtray or pen in particular was intended to prevent the ruling family's DNA from being collected by foreign governments.
(Production: Thinh Nguyen, Angie Teo, Juarawee Kittisilpa) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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