Mystery woman confirmed as Kim Jong Un's wife: Report

This picture taken on July 6, 2012 by North Korean official Korean Central News Agency and released on July 9 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (centre), accompanied by a young woman (left), enjoying a demonstration performance given by the newly organised Moranbong band in Pyongyang.

Seoul(AFP/ANN//KCNA) - A mysterious young woman who appeared at the side of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in recent footage from the North's state broadcaster is 'confirmed to be his wife,' a South Korean channel reported on Tuesday.

Quoting an unnamed source from North Korea, YTN said Mr Kim's wife is a 27-year-old from Cheongjin, North Hamgyeong Province. She graduated from Kim Il Sung University, married the young leader in 2009 while working on her PhD and gave birth to a daughter in 2010, the broadcaster said.

The woman, whom YTN identified only by her surname Hong, emerged as the subject of speculation in recent days after she appeared on TV on Sunday. In the footage, she is seen wearing a yellow dress and visiting a kindergarten in Pyongyang with Kim.

The footage showed the two laughing with each other and touching a child's hair together. It was her third appearance on state television. First, she was shown seated with Mr Kim at a concert on July 7. Then, she was shown with Mr Kim at a ceremony on July 8 marking the 18th anniversary of the death of his grandfather and North Korea founder Kim Il Sung.