But a love story seems to be the most hoped-for ending, with some keen to believe that the “mystery woman” is in fact Kim’s wife. It is very rare for North Korean leaders to even publicly speak of their wives (in June 1994, Kim Il-sung surprised the media when he arrived at a meeting with former US President Jimmy Carter accompanied by his second wife). Japanese Professor Toshimitsu Shigemura from Waseda University told British daily The Telegraph that the recent appearance of Kim’s companion could mean the new leader has adopted a fresh approach. “It is highly possible that this is his wife and that Kim is trying to show a new style of leadership, of a husband and wife, in North Korea,” Shigemura said.
