Kim Yong-chol, a vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee and Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of Kim Jong-un, sat either side of the North Korean leader during the morning portion of the inter-Korean summit. 

Their attendance suggests that they will play a significant role in future inter-Korean relations, denuclearization and efforts leading up to securing a peace system. 

Kim Yo-jong, who serves as the first vice director of the ruling party’s Central Committee, has been spotted next to her brother and other leadership during recent moves the North has made in relation to its denuclearization and the establishment of peace on the peninsula. These include joining her brother on his first China visit and being part of a North Korean delegation to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics opening ceremony.  

Some experts say Pyongyang has revealed that she plays the role of chief secretary to the North Korean leader, by seating her across from President Moon Jae-in’s chief of staff, Im Jong-seok. 

Kim Yong-chol was seated as the counterpart to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon.

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