Spouse of North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Reemerges With Luxurious Purse

North Korean chief Kim Jong Un’s spouse, Ri Sol Ju, reemerged in public Tuesday after a yr and a half out of the highlight, becoming a member of him and their daughter, Ju Ae, at a lavish completion ceremony for a seaside resort on the poverty-stricken nation’s east coast.

Ri, who was final seen in state media photographs on January 1, 2024, was pictured carrying what seems to be a purse made by Italian luxurious model Gucci.

Why It Issues

Luxurious good exports to North Korea are banned underneath United Nations sanctions focusing on Pyongyang’s nuclear and ballistic missile applications. Nonetheless, such objects reportedly make their approach into the nation by way of diplomatic pouches, that are exempt from customs inspection underneath worldwide regulation.

Kim Jong Un’s style for luxurious is nicely documented, from costly watches and vehicles to personal jets. His shut ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin, even gifted him a Russian-made limousine after Kim took a liking to the car throughout his 2023 go to to the nation.

Newsweek reached out to the North Korean embassy in China by way of emailed request for remark.

What To Know

Ri’s purse gave the impression to be a Gucci GG Marmont shoulder bag, which retails for over $2,000.

After the regime’s transfer in late 2023 to lift official wages tenfold, the typical employee now earns about 30,000 North Korean received—lower than $4—per 30 days, analysts say.

Retail costs in North Korea are low however analysts say most residents can’t survive on state salaries alone and should depend on casual or black market work to make ends meet.