Ri Sol-ju (left) and Kim Jong-un (right) [Yonhap Photo]
SEOUL -- The wife of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will visit the truce village of Panmunjom on Friday to attend a state dinner hosted by South Korean President Moon Jae-in after their historic summit, Moon's office said.
When Kim's wife, Ri Sol-ju, arrives in Panmunjom, South Korea's First Lady, Kim Jung-sook, will greet Ri before attending a state dinner.
In March, the North Korean leader summoned his wife to the presence of South Korean visitors at a state dinner held at his official residence. Kim has been reluctant to appear with his wife at diplomatic events since he took office following the sudden death of his father, Kim Jong-il, in December 2011.
Ri was among North Korean cheerleaders who visited South Korea during the 2005 Asian Athletics Championships in Incheon west of Seoul, but it was her first encounter with any South Koreans as Kim's wife. Outside experts say Kim's wife Ri has inspired a new fashion trend among North Korean Women.
The wives of South Korea's two late ex-presidents, Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun visited Pyongyang for inter-Korean summits in 2000 and 2007 respectively but they were greeted and hosted by the North's female government representatives.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
