Why North Korean leader Kim Jong Un never talks about his mother, Ko Yong Hui
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un maintains strict secrecy regarding his mother, Ko Yong Hui, to protect the legitimacy of his 'Mount Paektu' bloodline. Her Japanese-Korean heritage and birth in Osaka contradict the regime's narrative of hereditary purity.
Why it matters
Understanding the internal propaganda and lineage myths of the North Korean regime provides insight into how the Kim dynasty maintains power.
By Sangmi Han BBC News Korean , Reporting from Seoul Published 28 June 2026, 00:10 BST Among the many mysteries shrouding North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the secrecy around his mother stands out.
The article relies on historical context and expert analysis to explain a geopolitical mystery.
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