Rare photos of Kim Jong

Captured from The Mainichi

/ Captured from The Mainichi

By Park Si-soo

Rare photos of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's mother, Ko Yong-hui, have been revealed. They were reportedly taken in Japan in 1973 when Ko was in her early 20s, according to Japanese newspaper The Mainichi, which published the photos on Saturday.

The paper said the photos were taken when Ko visited Japan from July to September 1973 as a dancer with Pyongyang-based Mansudae Art Troupe. Ko died of cancer in 2004.

The newspaper said the photos were "valuable materials" because photos of her taken in Japan were "extremely rare."

According to Mainichi, Ko was a North Korean resident of Japan, born in Osaka's Tsuruhashi district in 1952. She is believed to have moved to North Korea in 1962.

She joined the Mansudae Art Troupe as a dancer in 1971.

She is known to have started living with Kim Jong-il, predecessor and father of incumbent North Korean leader, from 1976 and later gave birth to Kim Jong-un, the current leader; Yo-jong, Jong-un's younger sister who is a senior member of the Workers' Party of Korea; and Jong-chul, Jong-un's elder brother.

North Korea has not given much publicity about Ko because of her career as a dancer career and family background linked to Japan.

Ko Yong-hui in the 1970s (left) and in the 1980-90s. / Captured from TV Chosun

Ko Yong-hui in the circle. / Captured from TV Chosun

Ko Yong-hui and Kim Jong-il. / Captured from TV Chosun

/ Captured from TV Chosun

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