Schools for gifted children key to advancement in NK . JULY 28, 2012 04:05. . “North Korean Cinderella” has become a term referring to Ri Sol Ju, who graduated from Kumsong 2 Junior and Senior High School in Pyongyang and later became the wife of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The school is for gifted children. The school selects elementary school graduates at age 11 who are talented in singing and nurtures them to be professional singers. There used to be only one Kumsong Junior and Senior High School in Pyongyang affiliated with the Pyongyang Students and Children’s Palace, but later became two when the Mankyongdae Children’s Palace was established in 1989.

The school has 13-year curriculum divided by a person`s class, middle class and professional class.

Schools for children of senior officials are said to be Pyongyang 1 Junior and Senior High School, Mankyongdae Revolutionary School and Pyongyang High School of Foreign Languages. Contrary to this, Kumsong puts less importance on the social status of a student’s family so admission is highly competitive.

Kumsong students can participate in a nationwide students’ performance held at midnight January 1st to celebrate the New Year. This event has been performed in front of the country’s leaders such as Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, and is considered the only way to raise one`s status.

Kim Bo Kyong (not her real name), who used to be a member of the ensemble of the North Korean Public Safety Ministry, said, “Students at the Kumsong 2 Junior and Senior High School are invited first to the New Year’s performance. And success is guaranteed for those who attract the attention of their Dear Leader’s family."

The other students later work for famous musical groups such as the Sea of Blood Opera Company or the Ensemble of the (North) Korean People’s Army. Many musicians at the Pochonbo Electronic Ensemble are also from this school.