Dynasty grows: Kim Jong-un has reportedly fathered a secret, third child

Ri Sol-Ju (left) watches a performance with North Korean leader, and husband, Kim Jong-un (centre). Photo / AP

The third child of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un was born this year, according to the South Korean National Intelligence Service.

Ri Sol-ju, the wife of the North Korean leader, may have given birth in February, although the baby's name and gender have not been confirmed, the NIS said.

Rumours surrounding Ri's pregnancy circulated in 2016 after North Korea's first lady was absent from public life for months.

Due to the Pyongyang regime's tight secrecy, it is impossible to confirm the personal data of the members the Kim dynasty.

Even the exact age of the current leader and his wife are not known publicly.

As a result much information comes from the intelligence services in Seoul or is speculation.

Ri Sol-ju first appeared in public with her husband in 2012, shortly after he came to power in December 2011, although South Korea's intelligence believes they were married in 2009.

According to information from the NIS, Ri gave birth to her first child in 2010 and second one in 2013.

The only information that has been disclosed is that Kim Jon-un's second child is a girl named Ju-ae as former NBA player Dennis Rodman revealed in 2013 after a visit to Pyongyang.