Kim Jong Un’s Daughter Emerges as Potential Successor in China

Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, has captured international attention during her father’s recent visit to China, where he attended his first multilateral meeting. Observers noted her poised presence as she accompanied him off his armoured train, raising questions about her potential role in North Korea’s leadership. According to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), she is considered the most likely successor to her father, although details about her life remain scarce.

Background on Kim Ju Ae

Kim Ju Ae is believed to be the second child of Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol-Ju, with the couple reportedly having three children. The exact ages and identities of their children remain largely undisclosed, as Kim maintains a high level of secrecy regarding his family. Notably, Kim Ju Ae is the only child confirmed by North Korean leadership to exist publicly. Her initial mention came from an unexpected source: basketball player Dennis Rodman, who shared in a 2013 interview with The Guardian that he had held her during a visit to the country.

After a long period of little public information, Kim Ju Ae made her first significant public appearance in November 2022, attending the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) alongside her father. By early 2023, she began featuring on postage stamps and attending official banquets, receiving the title of “respected daughter,” a term reserved for North Korea’s elite. This honor parallels the recognition her father received as he solidified his status as the nation’s leader.

Speculation Surrounding Her Future Role

In early 2023, the NIS indicated that Kim Ju Ae was approximately ten years old and had interests in horse riding, skiing, and swimming while being home-schooled in Pyongyang. The agency suggested that she is the “most likely” successor to Kim Jong Un, although they acknowledged the various uncertainties involved, particularly given her father’s relative youth.

Since then, Kim Ju Ae has accompanied her father at numerous significant events, including military parades and ICBM tests, where she has received military salutes from high-ranking commanders. Her recent appearance outside North Korea during the trip to China marks a significant milestone, further intensifying discussions about her potential succession.

The Kim family has governed North Korea since 1948, promoting a narrative of a sacred bloodline that legitimizes their rule. Despite this entrenched patriarchal tradition, there are speculations that Kim Jong Un is introducing his daughter to mitigate gender biases in a country that has never experienced female leadership. The future trajectory of Kim Ju Ae and her role in North Korea’s political landscape remains to be seen, but her visibility is undeniably increasing.