THE SISTER

In the dark labyrinth of North Korean politics, a princess has emerged as a major power.

Lee is a U.S.–based academic who has been studying and writing about North Korea and the Kim family for many years, so he is perfectly situated to provide a detailed examination of Kim Yo Jong (b. 1987), the younger sister of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un and the likely heir apparent. She holds only a minor position in the government hierarchy, but her power, which includes the ability to sentence anyone to death for any reason, stems from being “First Sister” and a key member of the royal family. She first made headlines as North Korea's representative at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, and since that time, her profile has increased. She now makes public statements about regime policy, especially regarding foreign affairs. The Kim family has always had a reputation for bellicosity, but Kim Yo Jong has taken it to a new level, with barrages of personal insults and threats delivered in a tone of vicious sarcasm. Lee is unsurprised by her behavior, as she was called “princess” in her childhood and learned the art of disdain at her father's knee. As chief propagandist, she has cemented the power of the dynasty, emphasizing the mythical idea of the “Mount Paektu Bloodline” that began with North Korea's founder, Kim Il Sung. Lee believes that she enjoys being feared and has a wide streak of cruelty. Sometimes, she makes her brother look like the sensible and restrained member of the family. She can put on a charming face for media consumption, but the author warns commentators to be wary. She is, quite simply, an extremely dangerous person and would be even more threatening in the top position. It is a worrying but unavoidable conclusion.

A vivid portrait of a ruthless, egocentric woman driven by an unrelenting sense of entitlement and destiny.