Kim Sung-ae

Kim Sŏng-ae (1928- (possibly) 2001) was the second wife of the late North Korean leader, president Kim Il-sung. They became husband and wife in 1952, following the death of Kim Il-sung's first wife in 1949, although due to the Korean War no formal ceremony was held. One source indicates Kim Il Sung had had an affair with her even before his first wife died. She gave birth to a daughter (Kim Kyong-jin, 1953) and two sons (Kim Pyong-il, 1955; Kim Yong-il, 1957). She later rose in political power, becoming vice-chairwoman of the Central Committee of the Korean Women's Association (조선여성총동맹) in the mid-1960s and chairwoman in the 1970s. She held that post until resigning in 1998; since that time, little information about her has reached the outside world.^[1]

There are rumors that she was killed in car accident in Beijing in June 2001.^[1] Other reports claim she is still alive as of July 2011, though in poor health, and that Kim Pyong-il returned to Pyongyang from his posting in Poland to visit her.^[2]

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