North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Reportedly Designates Daughter Kim Ju Ae as Political Successor

Seoul. North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly selected his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as his political successor. South Korea's intelligence agency, the National Intelligence Service (NIS), informed lawmakers about this development on Thursday.

The assessment follows the increased public appearances of Ju Ae, believed to be around 13 years old, alongside her father at various high-level and significant events in recent months. According to the NIS, Ju Ae has moved beyond the training phase and entered the official stage of succession selection.

Her active participation in important visits, such as the Korean People's Army anniversary and the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, confirms this. South Korean lawmaker Lee So-young stated that the conclusion that she is advancing as the successor was drawn after indications that Ju Ae has begun expressing her views on some state policies.

Drawing Global Attention

Ju Ae, who first appeared publicly during an intercontinental ballistic missile test in 2022, has since been continuously featured in state-run media. Last September, during a visit to Beijing, she deplaned from an armored train with her father, marking her first trip abroad.

In photographs, she is seen walking alongside her father and, in some instances, appearing taller than Kim Jong Un. The presentation of any individual other than Kim in such an equal position in North Korean media is viewed with great symbolic significance.

While strict rules and restrictions apply to other children in North Korea, Ju Ae is allowed to keep long hair and wear expensive designer clothing. She is now reportedly being treated as North Korea's 'de facto' or second most powerful leader.

South Korean intelligence officials stated they will closely monitor her presence at the North Korean Party Congress scheduled for this month. This congress is North Korea's largest political event, where foreign policy and military plans for the next five years are determined.

Ju Ae is the only publicly known child of Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju. Although it is believed Kim has an elder son, he has neither been formally acknowledged nor publicly presented by the state.

The Kim family has ruled North Korea for three generations, and Ju Ae is now preparing to take the reins of power as the fourth generation.