North Korean music stars died at age 51
Here are 1 famous musicians from North Korea died at 51:
Ko Yong-hui
Ko Yong-hui (June 16, 1953 Ikuno-ku, Osaka-August 13, 2004 Paris) also known as The Respected Mother who is the Most Faithful and Loyal 'Subject' to the Dear Leader Comrade Supreme Commander, The Mother of Pyongyang, The Mother of Great Songun Korea or Takada Hime was a North Korean dancer. She had two children, Kim Jong-un and Kim Jong-chul.
Ko Yong-hui was the fourth wife of former North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-il. She was known to have a great passion for the performing arts, and worked as a dancer for the Mansudae Art Troupe before becoming a personal part of Kim Jong-il's entourage. Together, Ko and Kim had two sons - Kim Jong-un and Kim Jong-chul. Ko was reportedly very close to her sons and was a strong support to them, especially when their father passed away in 2011. She passed away in Paris in 2004, at the age of 51, after a long battle with breast cancer. Despite her relatively short life, Ko Yong-hui is remembered as a key figure in North Korean history and a beloved figure for the people of the country.
Ko Yong-hui was born in Japan to Korean parents who had emigrated there. She was raised in relative obscurity until she caught the eye of Kim Jong-il, who was reportedly smitten by her beauty and talent as a dancer. Despite opposition from Kim Il-sung, his father and North Korea's founder, Kim Jong-il eventually married Ko in 1977.
Ko Yong-hui's role as Kim Jong-il's wife was largely ceremonial, as he reportedly maintained a harem of mistresses and often traveled without her. However, she was known to be a trusted confidante and adviser to her husband, and was said to have played a key role in grooming their son Kim Jong-un as his successor.
Ko's death from breast cancer was kept secret by the North Korean government at the time, and was not publicly acknowledged until years later. However, she remained a revered figure in North Korean propaganda, with her image appearing on posters and other propaganda materials.
Despite her high profile as the wife of a dictator and the mother of a future leader, little is known about Ko Yong-hui's personal life and beliefs. However, her legacy lives on through her sons, with Kim Jong-un assuming power after his father's death and continuing to rule North Korea with an iron fist.
Ko Yong-hui's passion for the performing arts was evident from an early age. She began dancing while still in elementary school and went on to become a member of the Mansudae Art Troupe, one of North Korea's most prestigious performing arts groups. Her talent as a dancer caught the eye of Kim Jong-il, who was known to be a patron of the arts and a lover of music and dance.
Despite her privileged position as the wife of a dictator, Ko Yong-hui remained connected to her humble roots. She was known to be humble and kind, and would often spend time with ordinary people. She was also a devoted mother who loved spending time with her children and was said to have a close bond with both Kim Jong-un and Kim Jong-chul.
Ko Yong-hui's legacy in North Korea is complex. While she is remembered as a beloved figure by many North Koreans, others criticize her role as the wife of a dictator and the mother of a future leader. Some see her as complicit in the abuses and atrocities committed by the North Korean regime, while others argue that she was a victim of circumstance who had little choice but to go along with her husband's wishes.
Despite the controversies surrounding her life, Ko Yong-hui remains a fascinating figure in North Korean history. Her story offers a glimpse into the human side of a tightly-controlled regime, and her legacy continues to be felt in the country's politics and culture to this day.
Ko Yong-hui's sons, Kim Jong-un and Kim Jong-chul, have both gone on to have prominent roles in North Korean politics. Kim Jong-un succeeded his father as leader of North Korea and has continued his family's authoritarian rule, overseeing a number of high-profile military tests and tensions with foreign powers. Kim Jong-chul, on the other hand, is less involved in politics and is said to have a passion for music. Though he was once considered a possible successor to his father, he has largely stayed out of the public eye in recent years. Despite their different paths, both Kim Jong-un and Kim Jong-chul have spoken fondly of their mother and credited her with shaping their values and worldview.
She died caused by breast cancer.
Read more about Ko Yong-hui on Wikipedia »