AN ATTRACTIVE mystery woman pictured with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is a married pop star his dictator father banned him from seeing a decade ago.

Hyon Song-wol was the lead singer of Bochonbo Electronic Music Band, a popular act whose popularity peaked with Excellent Horse-Like Lady in 2005, an upbeat number reminiscent of Dolly Parton's 9 to 5, set in a lighting factory.

media_camera Working dawn to dusk: Bochonbo Electronic Music Band's 2005 hit Excellent Horse-Like Lady, featuring Hyon Song-wol.

Speculation has swirled in recent days that the woman may have been Kim's wife or sister.

North Korea's Korean Central Television broadcast footage showing her standing beside him at a memorial event commemorating the anniversary of his grandfather's death, and sitting to his immediate right at a pop concert.

media_camera Mystery woman: screen grab taken from North Korean TV shows leader Kim Jong-un, an unidentified woman and top military officials paying tribute to his late grandfather Kim Il-Sung on the anniversary of his death in 1994, at the Kumsusan Palace in Pyongyang.

According to a South Korean intelligence official speaking to the Korean Joonang Daily, Kim Jong-un and Hyon Song-wol became romantically involved after Kim Jong-un returned from studying at an elite school in Bern, Switzerland.

"The two have known each other since they were in their teens, and it came to light that rumors about the two having an affair have been circulating among Pyongyang’s top elite," said the intelligence official.

media_camera Mystery woman: screen grab taken from North Korean TV shows leader Kim Jong-un, an unidentified woman and top military officials paying tribute to his late grandfather Kim Il-Sung on the anniversary of his death in 1994, at the Kumsusan Palace in Pyongyang.

Shortly after Hyon's popularity peaked with Excellent Horse Like Lady, she suddenly disappeared from public life, with Japanese media reporting that she had married a North Korean Army officer after Kim Jong Il ordered his son to end the affair.

With Kim Jong Il's death last December, his youngest son is thought to have rekindled the relationship.

A heavily pregnant Hyon Song-wol reappeared in public on March 3, when she performed for Kim in Pyongyang at an event marking International Women's Day.

Song-wol sat beside the dictator at a bizarre concert featuring Disney characters in Pyongyang last weekend.

media_camera Date with Disney:: Mickey, Minnie and Winnie the Pooh took the stage for Kim Jong-un and his date, in an unusual performance featuring Disney characters in North Korea.

Experts on North Korea have suggested that Kim Jong-un's recent low profile may be explained by frantic behind-the-scenes discussions on the introduction of his partner to the masses.

media_camera Official duties: Kim Jong-un seated during a visit to the Victorious Fatherland Liberation war museum in Pyongyang. North Korea's state media has been playing a new hymn dedicated to new leader Kim Jong-Un in an apparent attempt to bolster his public support and personality cult.

There is no news on the fate of Hyon's North Korean Army officer Hyon husband, and no reports on the current whereabouts of her baby.

media_camera Mystery woman: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and a woman identified as Hyon Song-wol applaud a performance by North Korea's new Moranbong band in Pyongyang.

Bochonbo Electronic Music Band's other hit singles included I Love Pyongyang, She is a Discharged Soldier and We are Troops of the Party.

Originally published as Dictator Kim's mystery woman revealed