North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to have welcomed a new top assistant into his inner circle in recent weeks, NK News analysis of state media images and video footage shows.

The person appears to be a young woman in her 30s or 40s. NK News could not immediately determine her name or background, but she could be Kim Jong Un’s mysterious half-sister Kim Sol Song who reportedly has remained active in the party’s leadership behind the scenes.

The new assistant has been seen hovering close to Kim holding a large handbag during four of his public appearances this