Seoul Reports North Korean Leader’s Succession Plans for Kim Ju Ae
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has revealed that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to be preparing his 11-year-old daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as his potential successor. The intelligence agency shared this information during a closed-door briefing to South Korean lawmakers on Monday.
Kim Ju Ae first gained public attention in November 2022 when she accompanied her father to an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launch site. She was seen wearing a white padded jacket and bright red shoes. Since then, she has made several high-profile appearances, including at a military parade in February 2023, where she walked alongside her father in formal attire, receiving military salutes.
Professor Jeon Young Sun of Konkuk University notes that the regime’s portrayal of Kim Ju Ae in such settings is deliberate, designed to present her as a future leader. “The regime is emphasizing her connection to the revered Kim lineage and differentiating her from other children her age,” Jeon told ABC News.
Kim Ju Ae’s public appearances have been predominantly at military and state events, never in typical child-like settings. Professor Andrei Lankov of Kukmin University points out that this strategy aims to establish her as an emerging leader rather than a typical child. “The regime’s approach indicates they want her to be perceived as a potential leader, with her childhood marked by visits to military facilities rather than playgrounds,” Lankov said.
Despite the growing speculation, some analysts and North Korean defectors express skepticism about Kim Ju Ae’s potential as the next leader. A defector who fled North Korea last October criticized the regime’s portrayal of Kim Ju Ae, describing it as out of touch with the realities faced by ordinary North Koreans. “Her appearance and lifestyle seem detached from the everyday struggles of average citizens,” the defector said.
The NIS reports that North Korean authorities are carefully controlling Kim Ju Ae’s public appearances, focusing primarily on militaristic events while minimizing her visibility in economic contexts. The agency believes this careful management is part of a broader succession strategy.
Cheong Seong Chang, director of the Center for Korean Peninsula Strategy at Seoul’s Sejong Institute, suggests that Kim Jong Un’s health concerns may be accelerating the succession plan. “Kim Jong Un’s health issues and the need for a stable succession plan likely contribute to the early grooming of Kim Ju Ae,” Cheong said.
The NIS also provided an update on Kim Jong Un’s health, indicating that he weighs approximately 300 pounds and is at high risk for heart disease. The agency attributes his health issues to stress, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Efforts are reportedly underway to find new treatments for his condition.
While the possibility of a change in succession remains, with speculation about other potential candidates, including an undisclosed elder son, the current focus remains on Kim Ju Ae and her role in North Korea’s future leadership.
