Imagine a teenage girl stepping into the spotlight, not for a school play or a sports event, but as the potential future leader of one of the world’s most enigmatic and isolated nations. This is the reality for Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, who South Korea’s spy agency now believes is on the cusp of being designated North Korea’s next ruler. But here’s where it gets controversial: could a young girl truly inherit the reins of a country steeped in male-dominated tradition and authoritarian rule? Let’s dive into the details.
SEOUL, South Korea — In a recent closed-door briefing, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) shared with lawmakers their assessment that Kim Jong Un is paving the way for his daughter to become the fourth-generation leader of North Korea’s Kim dynasty. This comes as North Korea prepares for its largest political gathering, the Workers’ Party Congress, later this month. There, Kim is expected to outline his policy agenda for the next five years and further tighten his grip on power. Lawmaker Lee Seong Kweun, who attended the briefing, revealed that NIS officials are closely watching whether Kim Ju Ae, believed to be around 13 years old, will appear alongside her father before thousands of delegates at the congress.
Kim Ju Ae first appeared in public in November 2022 during a long-range missile test, and since then, her presence at high-profile events has grown significantly. She’s been seen at weapons tests, military parades, factory openings, and even accompanied her father to Beijing last September for his summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. But this is the part most people miss: her visit to Pyongyang’s Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on New Year’s Day, a sacred mausoleum housing the embalmed bodies of her late grandfather and great-grandfather, has been interpreted by some experts as a clear signal of her heir-apparent status.
Initially, South Korean officials doubted that a female leader could emerge in North Korea’s deeply conservative and patriarchal society. However, Kim Ju Ae’s increasing prominence in state media has led to a reassessment. In September, the NIS suggested that Kim Jong Un’s decision to bring her to China was part of an effort to build a narrative around her succession. Now, they’ve shifted their language from ‘successor training’ to ‘successor-designate stage,’ a significant change that underscores her growing role.
According to Lee, the NIS pointed to her frequent appearances at military events, her inclusion in the Kumsusan visit, and signs that Kim Jong Un is seeking her input on policy matters as evidence of her rising status. Yet, despite her growing visibility, North Korean state media have never officially confirmed her name, referring to her only as the ‘respected’ or ‘most beloved’ child. The name Kim Ju Ae comes from former NBA star Dennis Rodman, who claimed to have held her as a baby during a 2013 visit to Pyongyang.
Here’s where it gets even more intriguing: North Korea has been ruled exclusively by male members of the Kim family since its founding in 1948. Kim Jong Un himself was just 26 when he was named heir in 2010, following his father’s stroke. Some analysts speculate that Kim’s decision to introduce his daughter early may stem from his own experience of being thrust into power with little preparation. Could this be a calculated move to ensure a smoother transition for her?
The upcoming Workers’ Party Congress could offer clues about Kim Jong Un’s succession plans. Cheong Seong-Chang, a senior analyst at South Korea’s Sejong Institute, suggests that Kim’s visit to Kumsusan with his daughter was a symbolic gesture to present her as his heir before his ancestors. The congress might even see her appointed to a high-ranking party position, such as first secretary, though such a move might not be immediately announced publicly. However, other analysts question whether she could receive such a role, given party rules requiring members to be at least 18.
If Kim Jong Un does use the congress to cement his daughter’s succession, the signs may be subtle, according to Koh Yu-hwan, former president of South Korea’s Institute of National Unification. For instance, the party might praise North Korea’s longevity compared to other Communist states and attribute it to the ‘successful inheritance of the revolution.’ And this is the part that sparks debate: Is North Korea truly ready to break from tradition and embrace a female leader, or is this merely a strategic move to maintain the Kim dynasty’s grip on power?
What do you think? Is Kim Ju Ae’s rise a progressive step for North Korea, or a calculated maneuver to preserve the status quo? Let us know in the comments below!
