Brother of North Korea dictator Kim Jong-Un 'spotted at Eric Clapton gigs in London'

 
Clapton fan: A man believed to be Kim Jong-chul arriving at the Royal Albert Hall for the concert
JNN
Robin de Peyer22 May 2015

The older brother of North Korean tyrant Kim Jong-un has apparently been spotted at Eric Clapton concerts in London.

Kim Jong-chul appeared to be shown in a video attending the Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday. He was also reportedly spotted at the venue for Clapton's second show there on Thursday.

Footage shot by a Japanese television network on Wednesday showed a car driving up to the concert hall by Hyde Park before a man and woman dressed in sunglasses and leather jackets emerged from the vehicle.

North Korea observers confirmed that the man in the footage did appear to be Mr Kim, who has previously been spotted at other Eric Clapton concerts abroad.

Mr Kim, who was taken out of North Korea's leadership succession several years ago, was reportedly asked questions but did not speak as he entered the venue while his minders pushed cameras and reporters away.

BBC journalist Simeon Paterson was among those attending Thursday's concert.

"He was just like any other fan, but there were officials all around him," he told the corporation.

"They were obviously not Clapton fans, and looked really out of place. But he was having a great time, singing along to all the words."

North Korea observer Aidan Foster-Carter told the BBC: "It certainly does look like pictures of him I have seen before. And he has minders - why would he have minders if he wasn't Kim Jong-chul?

"He holds no post in the North Korean government, so would not be subject to a travel ban like others who hold government posts."

Mr Kim has previously been seen at Clapton concerts in Germany in 2006 and Singapore in 2011.

He is reported to have stayed at the five-star Chelsea Harbour Hotel by the River Thames during his stay in London.

Kim Jong-chul is believed to be 33 and is said to be the eldest child of former ruler Kim Jong-il's fourth wife.

His brother, Kim Jong-un, has been in power in North Korea since the death of the pair's father Kim Jon-il in 2011.

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