In North Korea secret police are mobilised to stamp out all signs of decadent foreign influence, including films, television and even haircuts. But the rules do not apply to the women surrounding the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, who have been photographed carrying luxury handbags worth thousands of pounds.
Analysis of images from Kim’s recent visit to meet President Putin in the Russian Far East last week shows that both his powerful sister and foreign minister carried European bags whose export to North Korea is banned under international sanctions.
But the supreme leader’s ex-girlfriend, who serves as his head of protocol, is a striking exception – North Korea watchers say that her handbag is a cheap Chinese brand.
Kim Yo-jong, left, and Choe Son-hui, centre, the foreign minister, showed off expensive bags. Hyon Song-wol, a former pop star and rumoured old flame of Kim’s, carried one costing less than a tenner
Kim spent a week in Russia, and discussed
