the north

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The mystery woman pictured accompanying North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to a string of official engagements is a previously married pop star, who his father banned him from seeing 10 years ago, it has been revealed. Attractive Hyon Song-wol, who used to front the Bochonbo Electronic Music Band, enjoyed chart success with hits including Excellent Horse-Like Lady, Footsteps of Soldiers, I Love Pyongyang, She is a Discharged Soldier and We are Troops of the Party. According to South Korean intelligence the pair became romantically involved a decade ago after Kim Jong-un returned from an elite private school in the Swiss city of Berne. But his father Kim Jong-il, who died in December last year, reportedly ordered him to end the relationship. A South Korean intelligence official told the JoonAng Daily newspaper in Seoul: 'The two have known each other since they were in their teens and rumours about the two having an affair have been circulating among Pyongyang's top elite.' The singer, whose popularity peaked around 2005, is believed to have been married to an officer in the North Korean Army with whom she had a baby. There have been no recent reports on the current whereabouts of Ms Hyon's husband or baby - or whether the couple are still married. Ms Hyon was seen earlier this year performing at an event to mark International Women's Day in Pyongyang which the dictator is said to have attended. The pair were seen together on state television on Sunday paying tribute to Kim Jong-un's late grandfather Kim Il-Sung on the anniversary of his death in 1994. North Korean officials have not confirmed her identity.