Kim Yong-nam
According to South Korean sources, she also worked as Kim Jong-il's personal aide. Her influential position in North Korean echelons (also confirmed by Kenji Fujimoto) allowed her to maintain close relations with president Kim Yong-nam of the SPA Presidium, WPK Secretaries Choe Thae-bok and Kim Ki-nam, and Director Kim Yang-gon of the WPK United Front Department. Her post as head of the Light Industry Department gave her a prominent role in shaping North Korean economic policy as it was shifting its focus on developing light industry.