Kim's wife a former singer who studied in China

The wife of Kim Jong-un, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a former singer who caught the leader's eye while she was giving a performance, the Republic of Korea media said on Thursday after Pyongyang disclosed the marriage.

Official media in the DPRK revealed late on Wednesday that a young woman pictured accompanying Kim this month is his wife, Ri Sol-ju.

It gave no details about her and did not say when they wed.

A Seoul lawmaker said on Thursday that Ri once visited the ROK, according to AFP.

Kim Jong-un, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, accompanied by his wife, Ri Sol-ju, waves to the crowd as they inspect the Rungna People's Pleasure Ground in Pyongyang on Wednesday. Korean Central News Agency Via Xinhua

ROK legislator Jung Chung-rai, citing what he said was information given to a closed parliamentary session by the ROK's National Intelligence Service, said Ri was born in 1989 and studied singing in China.

Jung said Ri had visited Incheon, west of Seoul, in September 2005 as a member of her country's cheering squad for the Asian Athletics Championships.

An NIS spokesman declined to disclose what was said during the closed meeting.

Ri has been pictured several times this month accompanying Kim.

The ROK's JoongAng Ilbo newspaper and other media said Ri is believed to be a former singer who came to the young Kim's notice during a performance.

The Kim Il-sung University graduate is from the northeastern province of North Hamkyong. Her father is an academic and her mother is a doctor, the paper said.

Ri was shown smiling while speaking with her husband, her arm tucked closely under Kim's as they led an entourage of senior military and party officials through the Rungna People's Pleasure Ground. In another photo released by the official Korean Central News Agency, she held Kim's arm while he raised the other to wave his hat at a crowd of people in swimsuits.

Kim has been seen with Ri during a kindergarten visit and other events recently, including a concert where Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters performed, but state media had not mentioned her before now.

On Wednesday, Kim and Ri, wearing a stylish red-and-black polka-dot jacket and black skirt, were shown smiling broadly as they inspected the newly opened Rungna People's Pleasure Ground. They were greeted with loud cheers when they visited a dolphin show, a wading pool and a mini golf course, KCNA News Agency reported.

The couple "saw dolphins playing stunts to the tune of joyful music", and also shook hands with foreign diplomats and officials and their wives, the dispatch said.

US offers best wishes

The US State Department on Wednesday did not hesitate to offer its best wishes to Kim Jong-un.

"We've obviously seen the reports. We would always wish any kind of newlyweds ... well as they embark," department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters at a regular news briefing.

"But obviously our concerns first and foremost are for the North Korean people, and we hope that conditions for them will improve and that the new DPRK leadership will make the right choice about opening the country and providing more for their people," Nuland said.

AFP-AP-Xinhua