N. Korean leader's wife 'charming', says sushi chef

TOKYO (AFP) - A Japanese sushi chef who served the late Kim Jong Il and his family for 13 years said he recently met the new North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his wife, whom he described as "pretty and charming".

Mr Kenji Fujimoto, who has become a rare inside source on North Korean affairs, was speaking in Beijing on Saturday after his first visit to the secretive communist state in 11 years.

Mr Fujimoto, who has often talked about risks to his personal safety because of his knowledge of the Kim family, said he had been invited to Pyongyang by Mr Kim Jong Un, who took power after his father's death in December 2011

Mr Fujimoto said Mr Kim Jong Un, believed to be in his late 20s, promised to welcome him "whenever you come to our country", according to the Kyodo news agency. He also met Ms Ri Sol Ju, who was only recently revealed to be Mr Kim Jong Un's wife.