US wishes well to DPRK leader over marriage

WASHINGTON - The US State Department on Wednesday did not hesitate to offer its best wishes to Kim Jong-un, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) whose marriage was just confirmed.

"We've obviously seen the reports. We would always wish any kind of newly weds you know well as they embark," department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters at a regular news briefing.

DPRK leader Kim Jong-un (2nd L) and his wife,Ri Sol-ju, visit the Rungna People's Pleasure Ground, in Pyongyang in this undated picture released by the North's KCNA on July 25, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

"Kim Jong-un and his wife Ri Sol-ju were present at the ceremony" marking the completion of an amusement park in Pyongyang, the official KCNA news agency reported on Wednesday.

"All the participants enthusiastically welcomed them, loudly shouting 'Hurrah!'" the report added.

The report marked the first reference by DPRK state media to Kim's marital status, which has been under speculation since he took power when his father Kim Jong-il died of illness last December.

"But obviously our concerns first and foremost are for the North Korean people and we hope that conditions for them will improve and that the new DPRK leadership will make the right choice about opening the country and providing more for their people," Nuland said.