South Korea's intelligence agency now believes Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter, Kim Ju Ae, is in the 'successor-designate stage,' indicating she is being groomed to become North Korea's future leader, a significant shift in assessment driven by her increasing public appearances and ahead of a key political conference.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) has informed lawmakers that Kim Jong Un's daughter, believed to be Kim Ju Ae, approximately 13 years old, is considered to be nearing designation as North Korea's future leader, extending the family dynasty. This assessment marks a significant change from previous views, with the NIS now referring to her status as the 'successor-designate stage.' Her increasing prominence is highlighted by numerous public appearances since November 2022, accompanying her father to events such as weapons tests, military parades, factory openings, and a significant New Year's Day visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, a sacred family mausoleum. She also traveled with him to a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Initially, South Korean officials expressed skepticism about a female leader in North Korea's conservative culture, but her consistent high-profile visibility in state media has led to a reassessment. The upcoming Workers' Party Congress later this month is expected to be a platform for Kim Jong Un to outline policy goals and potentially make moves to formalize succession plans. While her name is not officially published by North Korean state media, referring to her only as his 'respected' or 'most beloved' child, her identity is widely accepted based on accounts from individuals like Dennis Rodman. Experts suggest that any formal announcement of her succession might be subtle, possibly through party rhetoric emphasizing a 'successful inheritance of the revolution,' rather than an immediate high-ranking party post, given age requirements.
