Kim Jong-il: the women raising questions on eve of his funeral

AS NORTH KOREA prepares for the funeral of Kim Jong-il on 28 December, speculation is growing about the guest list. No foreign dignitaries have been invited to the patriarch's funeral, nor will his disgraced eldest son Kim Jong-nam be there – but several prominent women may attend.

South Korea is not sending an official delegation, but Lee Hee-ho, wife of former SK president Kim Dae-jung, is expected to make the trip north. A group from Pyongyang came south for her husband's funeral – after his 'sunshine policy' warmed relations between the two Koreas – and she is expected to reciprocate.

Also thought to be planning to attend from the South is Hyun Jeong-eun, the chairwoman of Hyundai, which is a major investor in North Korea, The Guardian reports.

But attracting the greatest interest is an unknown young woman spotted once in grainy TV footage. The Times reports there has been intense speculation over her identity since she appeared in a group paying its respects in front of Kim Jong-il's grotesque glass coffin. She stands out because she is slim and young, surrounded by chubby men who are mostly elderly. But it's her gender that's remarkable: there are not thought to be any women in the high command of the Workers' party.

While the Dear Leader is known to have had at least four daughters, they are never seen in public – it is not even known if they are still alive. A Japanese chef who worked for Kim ten years ago told reporters he is sure the woman is Kim Yo-chong, one of the younger daughters, born in the late 1980s.

However, previous photographs of Kim Yo-chong show a round-faced girl who looks very much her father's daughter, while the woman in the TV footage is sharp-featured. This has led many to claim she is the wife of Kim's son and anointed successor, Kim Jung-un, who stands near her in the footage.

NK watchers will be hoping to catch another glimpse of the mystery woman, whoever she is, at the Dear Leader's funeral. ·