The Sister

North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, the Most Dangerous Woman in the World

By: Sung-Yoon Lee

Narrated by: Dexter Galang

Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

This first book on Kim Jong Un’s increasingly powerful sister, tapped to be his successor, offers jaw-dropping insights into the latest generation of North Korea’s secretive and murderous dynasty.

The first woman ever to issue the threat of a nuclear weapons strike is not even officially a head of state. Kim Yo Jong is the sister of North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un and, as their murderous regime’s chief propagandist, internal administrator, and foreign policymaker, she is the most powerful woman in North Korean history. Cruel but charming, she threatens and insults foreign leaders with sardonic wit, issuing proclamations and denunciations in her own name, a first for any woman in the Korean royal family. She memorably called the South Korean Defense Minister “a senseless and scum-like guy” before going on to promise South Korea “a miserable fate little short of total destruction and ruin”. A princess by birth with great expectations for her macabre kingdom, she was brought up to believe it is her mission to reunite North Korea with the South or die trying. She’s ruthless and incredibly dangerous.

The Sister, written by Sung-Yoon Lee, a scholar of Korean and East Asian studies and a specialist on North Korea, is a fascinating, authoritative account of the mysterious world of North Korea and its ruling dynasty—a family whose lust for power entails the brutal repression of civilians, a missile program that can reach the continental US, and the constant threat of global havoc.

©2023 Sung-Yoon Lee (P)2023 PublicAffairs

Critic reviews

“With great literary flair, Sung-Yoon Lee delivers not only an incisive portrayal of North Korea's ‘princess,’ Kim Yo Jong, but also a chilling portrait of a family dynasty that has oppressed and exploited North Korea for generation after generation. The Sister is essential reading to understand the nature of the world's most tyrannical and reclusive regime.”—Max Boot, Washington Post columnist and senior fellow, Council on Foreign Relations

“Riveting, unique, policy-relevant narrative of the first order. A must-read for all policymakers. Lee sees through the North Korean regime's antics, maskirovka, and propaganda—much of it the work of Kim Yo Jong—as does no other. A work of penetrating analysis, caustic wit, and elegant prose.”—James Stavridis, PhD., Admiral, US Navy (Retired); former Supreme Allied Commander at NATO

“Lee paints an extraordinarily well researched picture of the second most consequential figure in the Kim Jong Un regime. He provides an invaluable resource in understanding one of the most intriguing and least known figures in today’s North Korea.”—Stephen E. Biegun, United States Special Representative for North Korea, 2018-2021 and Deputy Secretary of State, 2021-2022

Not enough information

I felt that the story lacked factual evidence and cultural connections. There were many moments that due to cultural differences, I was not understanding the significance of the situation or the facts being given. The story needs expansion on why these things have relevance and why something is an insult or a dis. It is presumed that the reader would understand Korean culture.

Too many details distracting from the story

I found the book interesting but i just wish more was dedicated to the sister and who she is as a person. Overall a good book worth reading.

No organization as to timeline. Repeats same content in different chapters very poorly written

Poorly written no cogent timeline. Content is repeated in different parts of book with no organization

Nothing new.

Literature review of news information. Harsh on S. Korean and US actions. Difficult topic because everyone has access to same information.

Not good

Almost no new information . Just a rehash of what’s known by journalists. No insider information or insight

Interesting from start to finish.

If you want to know the real Truth about North Korea, its Ruling Family, and how they operate, get this Book.