[The content of this article is based on authoritative historical data, and there are citations at the end of the article, please be aware.] 】
In the mysterious land of North Korea, a woman named Li Xuezhu is attracting the attention of the world with her unique charm. Her story is a modern-day version of Cinderella, not only showing extraordinary personal encounters, but also reflecting the subtle changes in North Korean society. Li Xuezhu came from an ordinary background, his father was a university teacher, and his mother worked as a department director in a hospital.
Growing up in such a family atmosphere, she has shown a strong interest in music and extraordinary talent since she was a child. In North Korea, music education has always been highly valued, and Li Xuezhu quickly made a name for himself in the local music scene with his outstanding vocal talent. Her voice is hailed as resembling Kim Jung-sook, the mother of North Korea, and some have even compared her to Teresa Teng of China.
Such praise undoubtedly paved the way for her future career development. However, Li Xuezhu's life trajectory is not all smooth sailing. In order to pursue higher artistic attainments, she resolutely decided to go abroad for further study. During her years in a foreign country, she not only honed her singing skills, but also broadened her horizons and accumulated valuable international experience.
This experience laid a solid foundation for her to become North Korea's "international business card" in the future. After returning to China after completing his studies, Li Xuezhu successfully joined the prestigious Galaxy Orchestra in North Korea with his excellent vocal strength. As a solo singer, she quickly made her mark on the North Korean music scene.
Her singing voice is not only widely popular in China, but also has represented the DPRK in international cultural exchange activities many times, becoming an important representative of the soft power of North Korean culture. In 2009, an opportunity to change the fate of Li Xuezhu quietly came. North Korea's leader at the time, Kim Jong-il, began looking for a future partner for his son, Kim Jong-un.
In this event, which can be called the North Korean version of the "draft", Li Xuezhu successfully entered the final shortlist with her talent, temperament and unique charm. However, becoming Kim Jong-un's partner is not an easy task. Ms. Lee faces stiff competition from another well-known North Korean actress.
The two not only have to undergo a rigorous review, but also have to go through a fierce competition. In the end, Li Xuezhu won the victory with her gentle and generous temperament and affinity. But that's just the beginning. In order to be qualified for the role of the future first lady, Li Xuezhu also needs to undergo all-round training. From etiquette and conversation to diplomatic skills, every detail cannot be overlooked.
This period was undoubtedly challenging for Li Xuezhu, but with her amazing learning ability and perseverance, she quickly adapted to her new role. At the end of 2012, North Korea officially announced the marriage of Kim Jong-un and Ri Sul-ju. This news was like a bombshell, causing a huge sensation inside and outside the DPRK. For a time, Li Xuezhu became the focus of global media attention.
As the first lady of the new generation of North Korea, Li Xuezhu's every move has attracted much attention. Her outfit soon set off a parody craze in North Korea. Whether it is attending important domestic occasions or accompanying Kim Jong-un on state visits, Li Xuezhu has won praise for his dignified and elegant temperament.
Mr. Lee's rise to prominence stands in stark contrast to Kim Jong-un's predecessor, the first lady, Kim Trainee. Although Kim is also highly educated, she has never been able to win wide recognition among the North Korean public. In contrast, Li Xuezhu's affability and approachable image are more likely to resonate.
She often accompanied Kim Jong-un to various public occasions, showing a suave temperament and proper demeanor. This people-friendly image has not only won the affection of the North Korean people, but also created a softer image for the DPRK on the international stage.
In North Korea's political arena, the role of Li Xuezhu has gradually become indispensable. She is no longer just Kim Jong-un's wife, but has become an important part of North Korea's image to the outside world. Whenever an important international meeting is held, Ri Xuezhu always appears next to Kim Jong-un in a proper dress, showing the charm and demeanor of the first lady of North Korea.
In 2018, an important historical moment arrived. The DPRK-ROK summit was held in Panmunjom, and the meeting between Lee Sul-ju and Kim Jong-sook, wife of the South Korean president, became the focus of global media attention. The interaction between the two first ladies broke the long-standing estrangement between the two Koreas and added a touch of softness to the détente between the two countries.
Li Xuezhu's diplomatic charm does not stop there. During the DPRK-US summit, her interaction with US First Lady Melania also attracted widespread attention. Li Xuezhu's elegant and calm performance not only showed the image of the family of the new generation of North Korean leaders, but also won more favor for North Korea on the international stage.
However, Li Xuezhu's influence is not limited to diplomatic occasions. Domestically, she has become a fashion and lifestyle leader. Her outfit has often sparked a craze for imitations, from hairstyles to clothing and even watches and purses, which have become the focus of attention of the North Korean public.
Interestingly, Lee's fashion taste is not confined to North Korea. She has been spotted on several occasions wearing or using products from international luxury brands, such as Dior's handbags. To some extent, this phenomenon reflects the connection between the upper class of North Korean society and the outside world, and also provokes people to think about the changes in North Korean society.
Li Xuezhu's role change is also reflected in her title. In 2018, North Korean state media for the first time referred to Ms. Ri as "Respected First Lady." The use of this title marks the further improvement of Li Xue's status.
It is worth noting that the word "respectful" is usually used only to address the supreme leader in North Korea, and the fact that Li Xuezhu received this honor undoubtedly demonstrates her importance in North Korea's political life.
The rise of Lee has also brought about some subtle changes in North Korea's political culture. Unlike previous generations of leaders, Kim Jong-un often appears in the public eye with his wife and sister, Kim Yo-jong. The practice broke with a long-standing tradition of keeping a low profile among the North Korean leader's family members and added some humanity to North Korean politics.
In a meeting with South Korean officials, Mr. Lee showed a different side from traditional North Korean politicians. She directly addresses Kim Jong-un as "my husband" instead of using an official title. When South Korean officials advised Kim Jong-un to quit smoking, Mr. Lee even laughed.
These details show a more relatable and natural side of her, and also allow the outside world to see some fragments of the family life of the North Korean leader. Despite this, Li Xuezhu's life is still shrouded in mystery. Little is known about her personal information. There are reports that she and Kim Jong-un have three children, at least one of whom is a daughter.
However, this information has never been officially confirmed. Ri's success has also sparked reflection on the transformation of North Korean society. As a woman from an ordinary family, she eventually became the first lady of the country through her own hard work and talent.
To a certain extent, this has shattered people's stereotyped impression of North Korean society, and has also brought new hope and longing to the younger generation of North Korea. As time went on, Mr. Lee's role in North Korea's political life seemed to expand. She is not only Kim Jong-un's virtuous helper, but also gradually becoming an important part of North Korea's soft power.
Her presence has added a touch of gentleness to a country that has long been regarded as a mysterious and closed country, and has also built an invisible bridge between North Korea and the outside world. Li Xuezhu's influence also extends to the cultural field. As a former singer, her contribution to the development of Korean art has attracted attention from the outside world.
Under her promotion, North Korea's theatrical performances began to take on a new look, no longer limited to traditional revolutionary songs, but incorporated more modern elements. Li Xuezhu's educational background has also won her a lot of praise. She is rumored to have earned a doctorate in North Korea, an education that is not common among the North Korea's top brass.
Her knowledge and international perspective have brought new vitality to North Korea's foreign exchanges. However, the rise of Li Xuezhu is not without controversy. Some North Korean observers have pointed out that her lavish lifestyle stands in stark contrast to the realities of ordinary North Koreans.
Despite this, Li Xuezhu has always maintained an affinity in public, and this pro-people image has alleviated this contradiction to some extent. Under the influence of Li Xuezhu, the status of women in North Korea has also quietly changed. More and more young women are pursuing higher education and career advancement, moving away from traditional family roles.
To some extent, this change in social atmosphere can be attributed to the example set by Li Xuezhu. At the same time, Li Xuezhu is also actively participating in North Korea's international aid projects. She has attended numerous events in cooperation with United Nations agencies, focusing on children's education and women's health. These measures have not only improved North Korea's international image, but also contributed to the country's soft power building.
Despite her glamorous public image, her private life remains a mystery. This sense of mystery has only increased curiosity and attention to her, making her a unique and complex symbol of North Korean political life.
Looking ahead, Mr. Lee's role in North Korea's political arena is likely to continue to evolve. Her presence not only added new vitality to North Korea's political life, but also opened a window into the outside world in a country that had long been regarded as mysterious and closed. Regardless, Lee's story continues, and her influence will continue to shape North Korea's future.
As a legendary figure who rose from an ordinary family, Ri Xuezhu's experience will undoubtedly continue to provoke people to think about and discuss the changes in North Korean society. Although the rise of Li Xuezhu is eye-catching, it has also caused many controversies. Some analysts have pointed out that her lavish lifestyle contrasts sharply with the plight of ordinary North Koreans, and may exacerbate social discontent.
Moreover, despite her more modern image in public, the actual status of North Korean women has improved to a limited extent. From a historical point of view, Li Xuezhu's public role is clearly different from that of the spouses of previous generations of leaders. However, her influence in actual political decision-making remains unclear.
Some observers believe that she may have played a role in cultural policy and external image-building, but her role in core political and military decision-making remains limited.
The emergence of Li Xuezhu did bring some changes to North Korea, but the depth and durability of these changes remain to be seen. In the future, as North Korea faces international pressure and the need for internal reforms, Lee's role is likely to evolve further. However, under North Korea's current political system, it is likely that this evolution will remain tightly controlled.
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Resources
North Korea's first lady, Ri Sul-ju, was elected by election? She is gentle and elegant, and she is loved by the people! - YouTube