North Korean state media Wednesday confirmed that its new leader Kim Jong-Un is married and named his wife as Ri Sol-Ju.
The announcement ended weeks of speculation about the identity of a stylish young woman pictured accompanying the young leader to official events this month.
State television reported that Kim and Ri took part in a ceremony marking the completion of a Pyongyang amusement park.
“Marshal Kim Jong-Un took part in the opening ceremony of Nungra People’s Amusement Park with his wife, Comrade Ri Sol-Ju,” it reported.
The official news agency also reported that Kim and his wife attended the event and were given an “enthusiastic welcome”.
It was unclear what day Kim and his wife visited the park or how long they have been married.
Kim, believed to be in his late twenties, took over the nuclear-armed nation when his father Kim Jong-Il died last December. But the intensely secretive state had previously released no details of his private life.
The short-haired woman was first shown with Jong-Un during a concert in Pyongyang on July 5. She was seen walking next to the leader on July 8 when he visited the mausoleum of his grandfather and the nation’s founder Kim Il-Sung.
On July 24, photos aired by state television showed her standing close to the new leader during a visit to a kindergarten.
With other officials staying a few steps behind the pair, the woman was seen smiling while standing immediately behind or next to Jong-Un as he hugged and talked to children.
In contrast to his late father, who spoke just once at a public event during his 17 years in power, the younger Kim has cultivated an outgoing and informal style.
He has been seen hugging soldiers, posing for photos with troops and linking arms with women.
