The move returned her to the powerful decision-making body a year after she left the post,and follows a series of roles since that included responding to overtures from US President Donald Trump.
"Her media profile over the years suggests that her profile will continue to rise and that her role will continue to expand,"said Rachel Minyoung-lee,a former North Korea analyst with the US government.
Meanwhile,General Pak Jong-chon,the former head of the North Korean army's artillery division and currently the army's chief of staff,was named as a full member of the Politburo. Foreign Minister Ri Son-gwon,a former army officer who once led talks with South Korea,was named as an alternate member.
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"Pak's quick promotion and Ri's lower position in the Political Bureau seem to reflect Kim Jong-un's policy priorities - national defence,with an emphasis on artillery over diplomacy,"Lee said.
North Korea held two major events over the weekend,with its leader overseeing a meeting of the Politburo on Saturday addressing the"danger"of the coronavirus pandemic. The country's rubber-stamp parliament,known as the Supreme People's Assembly,met on Sunday to implement the national budget.
While North Korea claims it has seen no coronavirus infections,the pandemic has put new pressures on Kim's regime,which could see its antiquated and underfunded medical system overwhelmed by an outbreak. Kim Jong-un brought his already isolated country to a near standstill by sealing the borders in January to stop the virus,halting the trickle of legal trade and tourism.