26 Jul 2012

North Korean leader's marriage confirmed

10:00 pm on 26 July 2012

North Korean state media have confirmed that the country's young new leader, Kim Jong-un, has married. Footage has been screened of the couple visiting a preschool together.

Mr Kim's wife has been named as Ri Sol-ju. Little is known about her, but some reports suggest that she is a former pop star, a cousin of Mr Kim's, and that the couple may already have a child.

There has been much speculation about Mr Kim's private life recently since an unidentified woman was pictured attending events with him.

She was spotted with him at a concert featuring Disney characters and at a ceremony to mark the 18th anniversary of the death of Mr Kim's grandfather, Kim Il-sung.

There is a North Korean singer called Ri Sol-ju but it has not been confirmed whether this is the same woman.

Mr Kim took over as leader of the country after the death of his father Kim Jong-il in December last year.