Date night for Kim? Mystery woman sparks speculation

The world wonders who was the elegant young woman bowing beside Kim Jong-un during the ceremony marking his grandfather's 18th death anniversary (AP)

A mysterious young woman appearing at the side of North Korea's new leader is the subject of speculation that she could be Kim Jong-un's younger sister or even his wife, but Pyongyang has so far released no details.

North Korean state TV showed an elegant, sombre young woman in a black jacket and skirt bowing with Kim at a ceremony marking the 18th anniversary of the death of his grandfather, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung.

She is believed to be the same woman shown seated next to Kim at a concert on Saturday.

AP