Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's influential sister, Kim Yo Jong, has been promoted to a department director position within the Workers' Party of Korea, as reported by state media on Tuesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the promotion decision was made during the first plenary meeting of the ninth central committee of the ruling party, which took place on Monday. Kim Yo Jong has also been reinstated as an alternate member of the central committee's political bureau after being absent for five years. While the Korean Central News Agency did not specify which party department she will lead, it is anticipated that she will continue her oversight of inter-Korean affairs.

South Korea's Unification Ministry is paying close attention to whether Kim Yo Jong will take on a larger role in managing relations with Seoul or in shaping external strategy, as reported by Yonhap News Agency. The plenary session, chaired by Kim Jong Un, also included the election of key leadership bodies such as the Political Bureau, Secretariat, and Central Military Commission. Discussions on a new five-year policy plan also commenced during the meeting.

Kim Jong Un emphasized at the meeting that the newly elected leadership carries a 'heavy and sacred duty' to achieve the objectives outlined by the recent party congress.

He acknowledged that the coming five years may bring difficult internal and external conditions but stressed the need to maintain strategic initiatives, strengthen state power and improve living standards.