Web Desk: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, regarded as one of the world’s most powerful figures, has reportedly begun preparing his 12-year-old daughter, Kim Ju-ae, for potential succession, according to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS).
Kim, 42, who does not hold an official parliamentary or governmental position, has traditionally maintained a highly centralized grip on power. In recent years, he has occasionally involved his sister, 38-year-old Kim Yo-jong, in political and government functions, prompting speculation about a possible successor. However, recent developments suggest a shift toward his daughter.
State media images show Kim Ju-ae accompanying her father at sensitive military events and national ceremonies, including inspections of intercontinental ballistic missiles and the anniversary of the Korean People’s Army. Analysts say her visible presence alongside Kim indicates symbolic importance in the tightly controlled society of North Korea.
The NIS briefing to South Korean lawmakers indicates that Kim Ju-ae is entering the formal stages of succession planning, a move that has captured international attention. While Kim Jong-un has not officially named a successor, intelligence officials assert that the young girl is being groomed to assume a leadership role in the future.
Kim Ju-ae is the only publicly acknowledged child of Kim and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, though unverified reports suggest a possible older son whose existence has never been confirmed by state media. She first appeared in public in 2013, according to former NBA star Dennis Rodman, and made her official television debut in 2022 during missile inspections with her father. Since then, she has attended several state and military events, often positioned directly beside Kim Jong-un, highlighting her growing prominence in the country’s political landscape.
Experts note that grooming a female successor, particularly at such a young age, is unprecedented in North Korea, where political power has historically been tightly concentrated within the Kim family’s male lineage. Observers will be closely monitoring her development and the implications for the country’s future leadership.
