NK’s first lady shows rare pantsuit look

The wife of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was spotted Sunday wearing a pantsuit, a rare scene in the reclusive communist state that has predominantly shown senior female officials wearing skirts in the past.

The state-run (North) Korea Central Television released on Sunday several photos taken during Kim’s visit to a tile factory in the capital city Pyongyang, during which he was accompanied by first lady Ri Sol-ju along with other senior officials. The outlet did not say when the visit took place as usual.

Ri was photographed wearing a black pantsuit with white shoes, walking side by side with Kim or attentively watching him at a close distance.

It was the first time the former pop singer, believed to be in her 20s, has been seen wearing pants during the 10 outings since she was revealed as the wife of the young leader in July.

The attractive first lady has sparked intense media interest with a range of trendy yet conservative outfits, once with a bag that looked like French luxury brand Dior.

The North’s state media have rarely shown senior female officials wearing pants in the past, except Kim Kyung-hee, 66, former leader Kim Jong-il’s sister who was often seen wearing dark pants when accompanying her late brother and junior Kim in their public appearances.

Pyongyang has shown signs that its Swiss-educated leader, believed to be in his late 20s, is gearing up for reform measures to revamp its crumbling economy. The new leader has also shown interest in Western culture.

Earlier this year, state media showed that Kim attended a concert featuring Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters and rode a roller coaster in an amusement park with foreign ambassadors. (Yonhap) <The Korea Times>

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