North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s sister takes major step up party rungs

The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been given a promotion in the ruling party structure during a rare party congress, state media reported Tuesday.The Workers’ Party Central Committee on Monday named Kim Yo-jong – previously a deputy department director – as a full department director, Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.Thousands of party elites have packed the capital for a once-in-five-years summit of the ruling Workers’ Party, a gathering that directs state efforts on everything from diplomacy to war planning.The congress offers a rare glimpse into the political workings of reclusive North Korea, and is widely seen as a forum for Kim to flex his grip on power.North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks at the ninth Worker’s Party congress in Pyongyang on Monday. Photo: KCNA/AFPKim Yo-jong has long been among her brother’s closest lieutenants, and one of the most influential women in the isolated regime.