During the handful of times we've seen North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the world stage, spotted somewhere in the backgroud was the powerful sister, Kim Yo-jong.<br />She's been under the global spotlight for some time but, video footage from Chinese President Xi Jinping's Pyeongyang visit this time shows Kim Yo-jong's pull within the regime may have strengthened in recent months.<br />Our Ko Roon-hee takes a look.<br />When Kim Jong-un's closest aides greeted the Chinese leader at Pyeongyang Sunan International Airport on Thursday, Kim Yo-jong was at the front of the pack.<br /><br />The North Korean leader's sister was the 7th person in line composed of key figures to shake hands with President Xi.<br />Standing next to her was high-ranking general Kim Yong-chol.<br /><br />This is different from Kim Yo-jong's previous role when she was in charge of protocol...usually appearing before the official schedule.<br />For instance, prior to the North Korea-U.S. summit in February in Hanoi, she took care of preparations at Dong Dang station in Vietnam before Kim Jong-un appeared in front of the crowd.<br /><br />It's worth noting that she didn't appear in public for around 50 days until recently at a gymnastics and arts performance ... after the talks in Hanoi collapsed, which raised speculation she'd been disciplined or sidelined.<br /><br />However, her elevated role within the regime's power structure was strongly implied when North Korea expressed condolences to South Korea over the death of former first lady Lee Hee-ho.<br />Kim Yo-jong came to the inter-Korean truce village of Panmunjeom... along with another senior North Korean official to hand over flowers and messages to South Korean security officials.<br />She was escorted by bodyguards, confirming her high status, considering that deputy directors generally aren't protected by guards.<br /><br />As for Kim Yo-jong's replacement in terms of protocol, Hyon Song-wol, who heads the North's Samjiyon Orchestra, was at the airport for President Xi's arrival.<br />She was spotted with Kim Chang-son, Kim Jong-un's protocol chief.<br />Ko Roon-hee, Arirang News.<br />
