During last year's summit between the United States and North Korea, Kim Yo Jong was front and center during the historic show of diplomacy with President Donald Trump.
It looks like she's playing a similar role again this year for a second summit between Kim Jong Un and Trump in Hanoi, Vietnam. She was even spotted on Tuesday holding a crystal ashtray as her brother took an early morning smoke break.
It's not the first time Kim Yo Jong has made headlines she traveled to South Korea during the 2018 Winter Olympics in February, becoming the first member of North Korea's ruling family to visit the south since the Korean War in the 1950s.
Like her brother, and much of the rest of their family, few details are known about Kim Yo Jong and the life she lived before reaching a prime leadership role in the North Korean government.
Here's what we know about her so far:
Like many of Kims family members, Kim Yo Jongs exact age is difficult to pin down. But shes believed to be between 29 and 31.
Associated Press/Wong Maye-E
Shes the youngest child of former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and his consort Ko Yong Hui, a former dancer.
Business Insider/Samantha Lee
She was partly educated in Switzerland, at the same school Kim Jong Un attended. But she returned to North Korea in 2000 after completing the US equivalent of the sixth grade.
Sandstein/Wikimedia Commons
Kim Yo Jong appeared destined for a powerful career from a young age. Kim Jong Il once bragged to foreign interlocutors in 2002 that his youngest daughter was interested in politics and eager to work in North Koreas government.
Its completely unclear where she was or what she was up to between 2000 and 2007.
Associated Press/Ahn Young-joon
In the following years, she conducted a lot of behind-the-scenes work for her father, Kim Jong Il, and brother, Kim Jong Un. She played a particularly significant role in helping Kim Jong Un take over instead of his older brothers.
Her first public appearance was in 2011 at Kim Jong Ils funeral.
Kim Yo Jong made headlines in 2017 after she was promoted to a top position in her brothers government: the head of the propaganda department of the Workers Party of Korea.
Associated Press/Wong Maye-E
Thats not just a fancy title Kim Yo Jong plays a crucial role in controlling her brothers public image.
Kyodo News via Getty Images
In public, Kim Yo Jong appears to have greater freedom than other top government officials in North Korea, occasionally appearing in photographs unaccompanied rather than constantly being in the presence of Kim Jong Un.
Associated Press/Wong May-E
Some have speculated that she was promoted partly in an effort to continue Kim Jong Uns dynasty. While shes out of the line of succession, some believe she could take over the countrys leadership if something happens to Kim Jong Un before his kids are old enough to rule.
It wouldnt be an unprecedented role for her, either. Kim Yo Jong once briefly took control of the countrys affairs while her brother was ill in 2014, according to a South Korean think tank run by North Korean defectors.
She stepped onto the world stage in February 2018. In a rare show of diplomacy between the two Koreas, Kim Yo Jong traveled to South Korea for the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
Everyones eyes were on Kim Yo Jong at the start of the games. She shared a historic handshake with South Korean President Moon Jae In, and both broke out in smiles.
Associated Press/Patrick Semansky
During the Opening Ceremony, she sat right behind US Vice President Mike Pence, second lady Karen Pence, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, Pool
Kim Yo Jong and Pence did not speak to each other.
Her interaction with South Korean leaders was a rare show of diplomacy and warmth. Given her experience in propaganda, she likely knew exactly what she was doing to try and curry favorable attention.
Associated Press/Ahn Young-joon
In April 2018, she played a crucial role in the peace talks between the two Koreas. Leaders from the two nations met at the demilitarized zone, and Kim Yo Jong was notably the only woman at the table.
Korea Summit Press Pool via Reuters
Though she stayed well away from the spotlight, leaving that to her brother, it was clear Kim Yo Jong played a significant role in orchestrating the talks and ensuring the day ran smoothly.
Korea Summit Press Pool via Reuters
She was her brothers right-hand woman when he and Trump signed the agreement acknowledging North Koreas intentions to denuclearize.
Kim Yo Jong sparked curiosity at one point, when she switched out the pen that was provided for the summit with her own ballpoint pen. Its unclear why she swapped the pens, but some have speculated that it was for security reasons.
She made headlines on Tuesday when she was seen holding her brothers ashtray while he smoked during their train journey to Hanoi.
Shes sure to be seen again as talks between Kim Jong Un and Trump proceed on Thursday.
Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha
Its become increasingly clear over the past year that Kim Yo Jong is one of her brothers most trusted officials, and her power in the regime is only growing.
Korea Summit Press Pool via Reuters
But in the Hermit Kingdom, no ones position is ever truly secure under the mercurial leadership of Kim Jong Un. Hes known for turning on family members quickly when they fall out of favor and it remains to be seen whether Kim Yo Jong is an exception.
Associated Press/Ahn Young-joon
SEE ALSO: The mysterious life of Kim Jong Un's wife, Ri Sol-ju, who probably has 3 children and frequently disappears from the public eye
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