Kim Jong Un’s decision to bring his daughter into the global spotlight has triggered intense speculation about the future leadership of North Korea, as Seoul’s spy agency now assesses that the young girl widely known as Kim Ju Ae has been selected as his heir apparent.
When Kim Jong Un stepped off his armored train in China last September for his first-ever multilateral summit, cameras were fixed firmly on him. But for seasoned Korea watchers, it was the poised, smartly dressed girl standing just behind the North Korean leader who stole the moment. The appearance marked the first time Kim Ju Ae had been seen outside North Korea, and it immediately ignited fresh debate about succession in one of the world’s most secretive states.
On Thursday, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) told lawmakers that Kim Jong Un appears to have selected his daughter as his successor. While the agency cautioned that “many variables” remain, it said recent developments increasingly point toward Kim Ju Ae being groomed to inherit power.
The revelation has raised as many questions as it answers. Precise details about the girl—her age, education, and role within the regime—remain scarce, reflecting the extreme secrecy that surrounds the Kim family.
Kim Jong Un, like his father and grandfather before him, has kept his family life tightly guarded. His wife, Ri Sol-Ju, was only introduced to the public after the couple had been married for some time. Even now, very little is officially disclosed about their children.
For years, analysts have believed Kim Ju Ae to be the second of three children born to Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol-Ju. However, the exact number and birth order have never been publicly confirmed by Pyongyang. Kim Ju Ae is the only child whose existence has been acknowledged by the regime’s leadership. No other child has appeared in public or been officially referenced in state media.
The first hint of her existence came from an unexpected source. In 2013, former NBA star Dennis Rodman told The Guardian that during a visit to North Korea he had “held their baby Ju Ae.” At the time, his remarks were treated as a curiosity, offering a rare and unverified glimpse into Kim’s private life.
After that, little was heard about her for nearly a decade.
Kim Ju Ae re-emerged dramatically in November 2022, when she appeared beside her father at the launch of a powerful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The event was widely seen as a signal of North Korea’s advancing nuclear capabilities. Yet the presence of the leader’s daughter shifted global attention.
Images released by state media showed her holding her father’s hand as they inspected the missile and watched the launch together. For a regime that tightly controls every public image, her appearance was unlikely to have been accidental.
In the months that followed, Kim Ju Ae’s profile grew steadily. By February 2023, she was featured on commemorative postage stamps and was attending high-level banquets for senior military officials. State media began referring to her as Kim Jong Un’s “respected” daughter—a notable descriptor in the North Korean political lexicon.
The adjective “respected” carries significant weight. Kim Jong Un himself was not described as “respected comrade” until his status as the future leader had been firmly established. Analysts quickly picked up on the linguistic shift, interpreting it as part of a carefully calibrated effort to elevate her status in the public consciousness.
Around the same time, the NIS provided lawmakers with rare insights into Kim Ju Ae’s life. According to briefings reported by the Associated Press, the agency said she enjoys horse riding, skiing, and swimming and is being home-schooled in Pyongyang. Officials suggested she was around 10 years old at the time.
By January 2024, the NIS went further, assessing that Kim Ju Ae was the “most likely” successor to her father. However, it emphasized that succession planning in North Korea remains fluid. Kim Jong Un is still relatively young, and political dynamics within the elite could shift over time.
Despite those caveats, the pattern of her public appearances has strengthened the perception that she is being groomed for leadership. She has stood beside her father at ICBM tests, military parades, and meetings with senior commanders. In some instances, high-ranking officers have been seen saluting her, a gesture laden with symbolism.
Such images serve a dual purpose: they reinforce the Kim family’s dynastic legitimacy while signaling to domestic and foreign audiences that succession planning is underway.
The Kim family has ruled North Korea since 1948, when the state was founded under Kim Il Sung. The regime promotes the idea that the family descends from a sacred bloodline uniquely qualified to lead the nation. This narrative has been central to maintaining internal loyalty and stability.
Within this ideological framework, leadership is not merely political but quasi-mystical. The concept of “Paektu bloodline” underscores the belief that only direct descendants of Kim Il Sung can legitimately govern the country.
Against that backdrop, the emergence of Kim Ju Ae fits into a long-standing pattern of dynastic succession. Kim Jong Un himself was introduced to the public as his father’s heir only a few years before taking power in 2011. However, unlike his predecessors, he is signaling the next generation much earlier in his tenure.
What makes Kim Ju Ae’s potential succession particularly striking is her gender. North Korea is a deeply patriarchal society and has never been led by a woman. While women hold positions within the party and state apparatus, ultimate authority has always resided with a male member of the Kim family.
Some analysts speculate that Kim Jong Un’s decision to showcase his daughter at this stage may be a strategic move to normalize the idea of female leadership. By introducing her while she is still a child, the regime may be attempting to gradually shape public perception and overcome entrenched biases.
Others caution that internal elite dynamics could complicate matters. Kim Jong Un has powerful relatives, including his sister, who have played prominent roles in the regime. The military and party leadership may also have their own preferences regarding succession.
Still, Kim Ju Ae’s unprecedented visibility suggests that Kim Jong Un is taking active steps to secure the continuity of his lineage.
Her appearance in China in September 2025 marked a significant milestone. It was the first time she had accompanied her father on foreign soil. The setting—a multilateral meeting—gave her exposure not only to North Korean elites but also to foreign dignitaries and global media.
China remains North Korea’s most important ally and economic partner. By bringing his daughter to such an event, Kim Jong Un may have been signaling to Beijing and other regional powers that the Kim dynasty’s future is secure.
The optics were carefully managed. Observers noted her composed demeanor and confident posture. Though she did not speak publicly, her proximity to her father conveyed a clear message of endorsement.
Despite the growing body of imagery and intelligence assessments, significant uncertainties remain. Her exact age has not been officially confirmed. Details of her education and training are limited. It is unclear how deeply she is being immersed in statecraft, military affairs, or party politics.
Moreover, succession in North Korea has historically involved intense internal maneuvering. Kim Jong Un himself consolidated power only after a period of purges and political realignment.
For now, Kim Ju Ae remains a child at the center of a geopolitical narrative. Yet in a country where symbolism carries extraordinary weight, her presence on missile launch pads and diplomatic stages alike speaks volumes.
Whether she ultimately ascends to leadership will depend on factors ranging from her father’s longevity to internal political calculations. But with each carefully choreographed appearance, the likelihood that she is being prepared for that role appears to grow.
In a regime built on continuity and controlled imagery, Kim Jong Un’s daughter has become more than a familial figure—she is emerging as a potential embodiment of North Korea’s future.
