The wife of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has appeared in public for the first time in over a year, according to state media.
Ri Sol-ju joined her husband at a concert on Tuesday to mark the birthday of Kim’s late father and former leader, Kim Jong-il.
Ms Ri has often accompanied Mr Kim to major events in the past, but had not been seen since January last year.
Her absence stoked speculation over her health or a potential pregnancy.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service had reportedly told congressmen yesterday that Ms Ri was avoiding appearing in public due to concerns over Covid-19 and may have been spending time with her children.
North Korea has not officially reported any Covid-19 cases – though experts say this is unlikely.
According to the Rodong Sinmun, the couple entered the Mansudae Art Theatre together on Tuesday to “thunderous cheers”.
Photos showed the couple laughing – as well as a conspicuous lack of masks or social distancing measures.
Who is Ri Sol-ju?
Ms Ri comes from an upper class family, with her father being a professor and her mother an obstetrician, according to analyst Cheong Seong-chang.
Media reports say Ms Ri, who is reportedly aged 31, was previously a singer in the Unhasu Orchestra – an elite troupe whose members are handpicked by the state.
Mr Cheong adds that she is believed to have married Mr Kim in 2009, with the marriage arranged in a hurry by the late Kim Jong-il after he suffered a stroke in 2008.
According to South Korean intelligence, the couple have three children together.
