After six years of disappearance, Kim Jong Un's aunt emerged from the darkness

Many rumors revolve around the fate of 73-year-old Kim Kyung Hoy, whose husband was executed at the beginning of Kim's reign. On New Year's Eve, she sat next to her nephew performing in a theater in the capital

After six years of disappearance, Kim Jong Un's aunt emerged from the darkness

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's aunt first appeared in public after about six years - the country's official news agency reported on Sunday. Reportedly, Kim Jung Hoi was included in the list of seniors who watched yesterday's performance to mark the Chinese New Year at a theater in Beijing's Pyongyang, alongside the leader. The main newspaper in the country published a picture of the aunt by his nephew and his wife, Re Sol Sol Joe.

Kim Kyung Hoi, 73, has been a major figure in the country in the past, as the previous sister's only sister, Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un's father. She maintained a low profile during her brother's reign in the early years, but later accompanied him frequently after suffering a stroke in 2008.

While holding many senior positions, such as a four-star general and a member of the Politburo, she is also considered to be flushing Kim Jong Un as the next leader. He came to power after his father died of a heart attack in late 2011 and continued the lineage founded by his grandfather.

Disappeared from the public eye. Kim Kyung Hoi (second from right) performing in Pyongyang (Photo: Reuters)

Aunt of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (first row, second from right) who was previously reported to have died in public performance after six years (Photo: Reuters)

Auntie's fate was in the fog after her husband and second-most important factor in the regime, Jank Sung Thak, was executed by Kim for treason and corruption in December 2013. The North approved his elimination, which remains one of the most significant line of purges and executions under Kim C's rule Ing and. External experts believe they are intended to remove potential rivals from the ground and establish their hold on power.

Days after her husband's execution, Kim's name was mentioned in the official news agency's report as a member of the funeral committee of another senior official. However, she was absent from an official ceremony marking the second anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death. Since then, her name has not been mentioned in the official media in the country.

Some organizations that follow what is going on in North Seoul and foreign media have estimated that Kim Jong Un executed or purged his aunt, or that she died of health problems. Foreign experts said Kim Kyung Hoi has long had liver and heart problems and high blood pressure.

North Korea: Nuclear trials are no longer obligated

It is very difficult to keep up with developments in North Korea, the most closed country in the world. In the past, officials, reported to have been executed, later appeared in the Communist regime's official media. Even the Southern Espionage Agency has not always been able to determine what is happening across the border, but has previously rejected rumors of her aunt's execution and said she was undergoing medical treatment.

Specialist Chung Sung-Chang, from South Korea's Sejong Research Institute, said Kim Kung Hui's imposition suggests that Kim Jong Un is trying to consolidate the ranks in his family as he promotes more aggressive policies against the United States. Chung, on the other hand, estimates that the tyrant's aunt will not return to her senior position, as she does not hold an official role in the Politburo, full of new characters.