Former North Korean diplomat exposes Kim Yo Jong and official corruption

Ri Il-gyu, a former North Korean diplomat who defected, has shared accounts regarding the behavior of high-ranking officials and the conduct of diplomats. Speaking on a YouTube channel, Ri described an encounter with Kim Yo Jong, the Vice Department Director of the Workers' Party of Korea, during a 2018 visit by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel to Pyongyang.

Ri alleged that Kim Yo Jong exhibited an elitist attitude, noting that she did not engage in conversation with him, which he interpreted as her viewing herself as a “princess” and viewing him as a lower class. Ri stated that he felt no need to interact with her, as he considered Kim Jong Un to be the only figure of ultimate importance.

Furthermore, Ri criticized the corruption among North Korean diplomats. He claimed that while officials are often reluctant to perform official state duties, they are highly active in pursuing personal financial gain. He specifically highlighted the misuse of diplomatic pouches to smuggle goods, noting that diplomats exploit the immunity from customs inspections provided by the Vienna Convention to bypass border controls.