North Korea appears to be moving closer to a significant leadership transition, as intelligence reports suggest that Kim Jong Un plans to announce his teenage daughter Kim Ju Ae as the next in line to succeed. Such an announcement by Kim Jong Un is expected at the upcoming party congress, the most significant political event in North Korea in five years.
Who is the North Korean Girl to Succeed Kim Jong Un as Leader
According to reports, Kim Ju Ae, who is apparently only 13 years old, has also been groomed for future leadership roles. According to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, Kim has advanced her status in North Korea from being in study as successor to an internal appointment as the future supreme leader of the country.
Who is Kim Ju Ae?
Kim Ju Ae is the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, reportedly around 13 years old, has risen to prominence owing to state propaganda. According to intelligence, she has been spotted alongside her father during missile test launches, as well as international events with analysts saying she is likely to replace him at the helm of North Korea with intelligence sources revealing she has been groomed for a position at the ruling party.
Kim Ju Ae: Early Appearances & Public Profile
Ju Ae first entered the public domain in November 2022, when she attended a missile launch with her father. Since then, she has been spotted at important summits and functions, ranging from meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping to events at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, a memorial facility within Pyongyang and these events have been seen as attempts to groom her for a role as a future leader.
Potential Role in the Party Congress
Cheong Seong-chang, a senior analyst at the Sejong Institute, believes Ju Ae might be named first secretary of the ruling party at the forthcoming congress. If this happens, it would formalize her position at the core of North Korea’s political leadership and mark a clear generational shift in the country’s ruling circle.
Kim Yo Jong’s Role in the Regime
Around her age of 38, Kim Yo Jong catapulted to fame after her father passed away in 2011 and she currently serves as VP of the Propaganda and Agitation Department and is a member of the State Affairs Commission. Her influence in North Korean society is beyond question, which puts her in the role of a mentor for Kim Ju Ae.
How Likely is She to Succeed Her Father?
Experts say Kim Jong Un believes his daughter has the potential and determination to assume leadership roles one day by participating in major events, she is only gaining vital knowledge and connections. However, it should be emphasized that these assessments by the intelligence community remain speculative because it is notoriously difficult to verify intelligence from North Korea.
Who is Kim Jong Un’s Sister Kim Yo Jong: Second Leader in Command
Kim Yo Jong, the sister of the supreme leader, holds two key positions in North Korea’s current government setup. She has often been recognized for her honest foreign policy and her attendance at military parades, where she accompanies her brother to the platform during major international meetings.
