Kim Jong Un's Aunt Safe for Now

Rumors of her impending demise may have been at least premature, because the AP reports that Kim Jong Un's aunt—and estranged wife of recently executed uncle Jang Song Thaek—has been named to an ad-hoc state committee in a seeming indication that both her influence and her neck remain intact. Analysts speculate that the difference could well be that Kim Kyong Hui is a blood relative; she was very close to older brother Kim Jong Il, and helped groom Kim Jong Un for power after his father's death. And, they say, she may even have given the high sign to have her husband fired, though probably didn't sanction his death. Watchers are looking for her to appear in public on Tuesday, on the second anniversary of Kim Jong Il's death, assuming her frail health permits it. (More Kim Jong Un stories.)