‘Explosive . . . a ground-breaking and revealing new book’ – Daily Mail

‘In explaining the rise to power of Kim Yo Jong, Lee displays his deep knowledge and understanding of North Korea’s extreme, ruthless and self-obsessed dynastic autocracy, the creators and rulers of a de-facto nuclear weapon state. Not a reassuring story’ – Sir John Scarlett, former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6)

Written by Dr Sung-Yoon Lee, a scholar and specialist on North Korea who has advised the US government, The Sister is a jaw-dropping account of the spectacular rise of Kim Yo Jong, de-facto deputy to her brother, Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, and the most powerful woman in North Korea.

In 2022, in a particularly fiery speech, Kim Yo Jong threatened to nuke South Korea, reminding the world of the dangers posed by her state. But how did the youngest daughter of Dear Leader Kim Jong Il, his ‘sweet princess’, become the ruthless chief propagandist, internal administrator and foreign policymaker for her brother’s totalitarian regime?

The Sister uncovers the truth about Kim Yo Jong, her close bond with Kim Jong Un and the lessons in manipulation they learned from their father. He also examines the iron grip the Kim dynasty has on their country, the grotesque deaths of family members deemed disloyal, and the signs that Kim Yo Jong has been positioned as her brother’s successor should he die while his own children are young.

Readable and insightful, this book is an invaluable portrait of a woman who might yet hold the survival of her despotic dynasty in her hands.

‘A detailed, insightful study . . . Lee is excellent on the regime’s reliance on suppressing, distorting and manipulating information . . . His vivid account of surreal, intractable negotiations with the Kim siblings underlines The Sister’s central insight: Kim Yo Jong is very much part of the family’ – The Guardian

Chapter 1 The Princess Cometh
Chapter 2 The Mount Paektu Bloodline
Chapter 3 Peninsular Predominance: Pyongyang's Ultimate Mission
Chapter 4 All in the Family
Chapter 5 The Narcissistic Psychopath Father
Chapter 6 State Secrets
Chapter 7 The Apprentice Years: 2007-2009
Chapter 8 Funeral and Rebirth
Chapter 9 The Vile Ventriloquist
Chapter 10 The Pyongyang Games
Chapter 11 The Blue House Visit
Chapter 12 A Korean Comedy of Errors
Chapter 13 Who Trumped Whom?
Chapter 14 The Ascent: Mounted Paektu Princess
Chapter 15 Weaponizing Food: A Family Practice
Chapter 16 Twisted Sister
Chapter 17 They Call Her 'Devil Woman'

Acknowledgements
Discover More
About the Author
Praise for the Sister
Notes