**Luxury Fashion of North Korea's Elite**

Kim Jong-un's wife, Ri Sol-ju, made her public appearance for the first time in about a year and a half.

On the 26th, the Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim attended the opening ceremony of the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Area in Gangwon Province on the 24th, along with Ri Sol-ju and their daughter, Kim Ju-ae.

At the event, Ri appeared in a style where her hair was half-up and secured with a pin, wearing a round-sleeved white blouse and black pants.

The wearing of pants by high-ranking women in North Korea is quite rare, but it has become one of her fashion characteristics since Ri first showcased it in 2012.

Especially on this day, Ri attracted attention by carrying a handbag suspected to be from the Italian luxury brand Gucci. Although the full view of the bag could not be confirmed in the photo, based on its leather pattern and logo placement, it is presumed to be the 'GG Marmont' model, which is priced at approximately 4 million won based on the official website for the medium size.

**The Hierarchy and Succession Dynamics of the Kim Family**

Another figure who garnered attention at the event was Kim Jong-un's daughter, Kim Ju-ae.

Kim Ju-ae, dressed in a cream-colored two-piece suit, was seen wearing a Cartier watch on her wrist, a product from the French luxury brand.

While the exact model has not been confirmed, if it is the Benoit model adorned with diamonds, it is a costly item priced at around 30.8 million won based on the official website.

At the event, Kim Ju-ae received the same level of protocol as her father, standing right next to Kim Jong-un.

Although they walked side by side, it was noted that Ri Sol-ju was walking behind them.

Even during the ceremonial ribbon-cutting scene, Kim Ju-ae was next to Kim Jong-un, while Ri Sol-ju was seen clapping from a distance.

Experts analyze that this difference in protocol is a deliberate portrayal by North Korean media to highlight Kim Ju-ae as the center of the succession dynamics.

In fact, Kim Ju-ae has been increasing her presence not only in local visits this year but also on the diplomatic stage. In April, she greeted residents of a development site with handshakes, and last month, she visited the Russian embassy in Pyongyang.

Image Source: Pyongyang Worker’s Newspaper / News 1, Pyongyang Worker’s Newspaper