South Korea’s intelligence agency has concluded that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has designated his teenage daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as his successor. The assessment marks a potentially historic shift toward a fourth generation of the Kim family dynasty.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) briefed lawmakers on Thursday, stating that it reached this conclusion after analyzing “a range of circumstances,” including Kim Ju Ae’s increasingly prominent public appearances.
Growing Public Role Signals Successor Designation
According to South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kwen, Kim Ju Ae has moved beyond simply being introduced to the public. She has now entered what officials describe as the “successor designation” stage.
In recent months, the teenager has appeared beside her father at major state events. These include the founding anniversary of the Korean People’s Army and a visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where North Korea’s former leaders lie in state.
Furthermore, intelligence officials reported signs that she may already be expressing opinions on certain state matters. This development strengthens the belief that Kim Ju Ae is being groomed for leadership.
The NIS also plans to closely monitor whether she attends the upcoming Workers’ Party Congress, North Korea’s largest political gathering held every five years. The congress is expected to outline Pyongyang’s foreign policy, military strategy, and nuclear ambitions for the next half-decade.
Kim Ju Ae’s Rise in State Media
Kim Ju Ae, believed to be around 13 years old, first appeared publicly in 2022. She was shown on state television inspecting an intercontinental ballistic missile while holding her father’s hand.
Since then, she has frequently accompanied Kim Jong Un at high-profile events, including a visit to Beijing for a major military parade. During that trip, she was seen stepping off her father’s armored train at Beijing Railway Station.
State media images often place her walking beside her father rather than behind him. In North Korea’s tightly controlled propaganda system, such positioning carries powerful symbolic meaning. It is rare for anyone to share equal prominence with the leader in official photographs.
Observers also note that Kim Ju Ae’s appearance stands out. She often wears designer clothing and long hair—both uncommon in a country where strict dress codes and economic hardship limit personal expression.
Questions Over Succession in a Patriarchal State
Despite the intelligence assessment, questions remain.
North Korea is widely regarded as a deeply patriarchal society. Traditionally, male leadership has dominated both political and social structures. Reports suggest Kim Jong Un may have an older son, although he has never appeared in state media.
This makes Kim Ju Ae’s apparent selection particularly significant. If confirmed, she would become the first woman to lead North Korea.
However, there is precedent for female authority within the regime. Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s sister, holds a senior role in the Workers’ Party of Korea and is believed to wield considerable influence.
Another mystery surrounds timing. Kim Jong Un is still relatively young and appears healthy. Analysts question why he would formally designate a successor so early, especially one as young as 13.
What Kim Ju Ae’s Succession Could Mean
The Kim family has ruled North Korea for three generations—Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il, and now Kim Jong Un. A transition to Kim Ju Ae would extend that lineage into a fourth generation.
Nevertheless, it remains unclear what her leadership might bring.
When Kim Jong Un first took power, some hoped his Western education would open North Korea to global engagement. Instead, the country continued to expand its nuclear program and maintain strict internal controls.
If Kim Ju Ae eventually assumes leadership, she would inherit a nuclear-armed state facing heavy sanctions and deep economic challenges. Whether her rule would signal continuity or change remains unknown.
For now, South Korea’s intelligence agency maintains that the signs strongly indicate she is being positioned as North Korea’s future leader.
