North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s teenage daughter recently visited a sacred family mausoleum, a move that experts believe enhances her position as a potential heir to her father. The visit took place on New Year’s Day, leading to speculation that the girl, reportedly named Kim Ju-ae and around 13 years old, could be appointed as a high-ranking official at the upcoming ruling Workers’ Party congress.
Images released by North Korea’s state media revealed Kim Ju-ae standing alongside her parents at Pyongyang’s Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where her late grandfather and great-grandfather are enshrined. Analysts suggest that this visit to the symbolic palace before the Workers’ Party congress is a strategic political maneuver orchestrated to reinforce the regime’s legitimacy.
As the third-generation ruler of North Korea, Kim Jong-un frequently pays respects at the Kumsusan Palace to honor his father, Kim Jong-il, and grandfather, Kim Il-sung, on significant state occasions. Speculation arises that Kim Jong-un might appoint his daughter to a prominent role within the Workers’ Party, possibly as the first secretary, during the upcoming congress. However, differing opinions exist, with some experts considering her age a limiting factor for such a prestigious position.
The Workers’ Party congress, the first in five years, aims to set new state policies and restructure leadership positions. While the exact date of the congress remains undisclosed, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service anticipates it will convene in either January or February.
Kim Ju-ae’s public appearances with her father since November 2022 have been notable, accompanying him to various events, including military demonstrations and diplomatic visits. Notably, during recent New Year’s Day celebrations, she displayed affection by kissing her father on the cheek, showcasing their close bond.
In light of the NIS’s assessment in January 2024 that Kim Ju-ae is a probable successor to her father, some experts question this assertion, highlighting Kim Jong-un’s youth and the male-dominated power structure in North Korea. The NIS confirmed Kim Jong-un’s good health, dispelling concerns about his ability to continue ruling.
The revelation of Kim Ju-ae in public engagements surprised many foreign observers, as neither Kim Jong-un nor Kim Jong-il received similar exposure in North Korean state media during their youth. This deliberate public presence of Kim Ju-ae may serve to garner support for the dynasty’s succession plans within North Korea.
