Kim Jong Un's Silence on Mother Reveals Complex Legacy

WHO:

BBC - Kim Jong Un is the leader of North Korea.

BBC - Ko Yong Hui is identified as Kim Jong Un's mother.

WHAT:

BBC - Very few North Koreans know about Ko Yong Hui.

BBC - The origin of Ko Yong Hui could threaten the regime’s legitimacy.

WHERE:

BBC - The sacred mountain referenced is associated with the Kim dynasty in North Korea.

WHY:

BBC - The lack of discussion about Ko Yong Hui by Kim Jong Un is linked to the potential threat her origin poses to the regime’s legitimacy.

HOW:

BBC - The mountain has been used historically to legitimize the Kim dynasty.

(UPDATED June 28, 2026 06:23 UTC)

Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, has a mother named Ko Yong Hui, but very few North Koreans are aware of her. The origins of Ko Yong Hui could pose a significant threat to the regime's legitimacy, which is why Kim has chosen not to discuss her publicly. This situation is further complicated by the fact that a sacred mountain, historically tied to the Kim dynasty, has been used to legitimize their rule.