North Korea’s Kim Jong-un Considered Passing Leadership to Daughter

On Thursday, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) informed lawmakers that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is potentially designating his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, as his successor.

Details about her life remain scarce, largely due to the secretive nature of North Korea. Kim Ju-ae’s existence came to light thanks to former NBA player Dennis Rodman, who mentioned her publicly, albeit misspelling her name. Although her exact birth date hasn’t been disclosed, she is thought to be around 13 years old. Kim Jong-un notably introduced her to the public during the 2022 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch.

Since that time, she has been increasingly involved in state activities. For instance, she appeared at a diplomatic gathering with Russian officials last year, a move interpreted by many as Kim Jong-un signaling her future leadership role.

According to officials from the NIS, there are indications that Kim is formalizing his daughter’s status as a potential heir, as discussed in a recent closed session of South Korea’s National Assembly. While it’s uncertain if she is Kim’s only child, she is believed to be the eldest, with some sources suggesting there may be two other siblings.

“The National Intelligence Service indicated that Kim Ju-ae seems to be moving toward being named as his successor,” shared a member of the National Power Party, Lee Seung Gwon, as reported by journalists. “Her presence is now acknowledged at major events, and she’s also shown interest in various policies.”

Lee added that the NIS previously referred to her as undergoing “successor training,” which has evolved into this formal acknowledgment of her potential role.

Another lawmaker, Park Sung-won from the Democratic Party, noted that Kim Ju-ae appears actively engaged in governance, having dealt directly with issues on the ground.

He remarked, “Kim Ju-ae has been sharing her views on policy implementation, suggesting she is being prepared for leadership.” This assessment aligns with the interpretations offered by the National Intelligence Service.

North Korea has been a dynastic regime since its inception in 1948, marked by Kim Il-sung’s transfer of power to his son, Kim Jong-il, and subsequently to Kim Jong-un. Currently, Kim Jong-un is around 42, having taken control in his late twenties. Unlike his daughter, he maintained a much lower profile during his early years.

Recent reports from Yonhap News indicate that if Kim Jong-un were to pass away while still in power, Kim Ju-ae would most likely be his successor. However, previous intelligence suggested that she has yet to undergo any formal training, implying that the North Korean populace is gradually adapting to her emerging public role.

The first acknowledgment of Kim Ju-ae came from Dennis Rodman, who described Kim Jong-un as a caring father following his visit to North Korea, where he revealed her name.

In November 2022, North Korea’s state media featured Kim Ju-ae for the first time while accompanying her father during a missile test, referring to her as the “beloved daughter.” Photographs showed her alongside Kim Jong-un, receiving a warm reception from attendees after the successful ICBM launch.

Since that moment, she has made sporadic appearances in state media. Notably, she attended the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end at the Russian Embassy, dressed in a naval uniform and mingling with Russian dignitaries, which many experts interpreted as an indication of her grooming for leadership.

Researcher Cho Han-beom remarked that while this public introduction suggests preparation for her future role, North Korea likely does not require external validation to establish her position as potential successor.