‘North Korean Soldier’ Tried To Take Selfie With Ri Sol-Ju? Viral Video of Kim Jong Un’s ‘Wife’ Fact-Checked
A video circulating online purports to show a 'North Korean soldier' attempting to take a selfie with Ri Sol-Ju before being whisked away. Editorial research reveals the video is AI-generated, and security protocols surrounding North Korea's First Lady make such an incident impossible.
A viral video claiming to show a man in uniform trying to take a selfie with Ri Sol-Ju - wife of Kim Jung Un, only to be whisked away by security, is fake. LatestLY's editorial research indicates the video is AI-generated and lacks authenticity.
The Claim and Its Spread
The claim, widely shared on social media platforms, features a video depicting what appears to be a North Korean soldier being removed by security personnel after allegedly attempting to photograph himself with Ri Sol-Ju, the First Lady of North Korea. The video quickly gained traction, fueling discussions about the strict security measures within the country and around its leadership.
Viral Video Claiming a North Korean Soldier Tried To Take a Selfie With Ri Sol-ju Is Fake
Evidence of AI Generation
LatestLY's editorial team conducted a thorough analysis of the circulating video. Key observations reveal discrepancies consistent with AI-generated content. Specifically, a handkerchief held by the woman in the video visibly transforms into a mobile phone in a subsequent frame. Furthermore, the individual depicted in the video has been identified as not being Ri Sol-Ju. Did Israel Strike North Korea’s Embassy in Tehran? Here’s a Fact Check of Viral Social Media Claim.
Handkerchief Visibly Turns Into a Phone
North Korean Security Protocols
Security surrounding North Korea's First Lady, Ri Sol-Ju, is exceptionally stringent. Official accounts and international media reports consistently highlight the tight control and limited public access to the country's leadership. For instance, Fox News and The Mirror reported instances where North Korean leader Kim Jong Un himself pushed photographers away to maintain distance and security around Ri Sol-Ju during public appearances. DailyNK also notes the meticulous management of Ri Sol-Ju's public appearances and the tight control over information regarding her, underscoring the impossibility of an unauthorized close encounter for a selfie.
Such an incident, involving a soldier breaching security to interact directly with the First Lady for a personal photograph, would contradict all known protocols and the heavily guarded public persona of North Korean leaders and their families. There is no official record or credible report from any legitimate news outlet corroborating this alleged event. Kim Jong-un Wins North Korea Elections 2026 With 99.93% Votes, ‘Who Are the 0.07%?’ Ask Netizens.
Final Verdict
The claim that a "North Korean soldier" attempted to take a selfie with Ri Sol-Ju and was subsequently whisked away is fake. The video promoting this claim is AI-generated, and the incident described is inconsistent with the well-documented, extremely tight security protocols surrounding North Korea's First Lady. No official sources or credible media have reported such an event.
Fact check
A 'North Korean soldier' was whisked away after trying to get close and click a selfie with Ri Sol-Ju.
The claim is fake; the video is AI-generated, and security protocols would prevent such an incident.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 04, 2026 01:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
