South Korea Says Kim Jong Un Preparing Daughter Ju Ae as Successor
Kim Jong Un Signals Daughter Ju Ae as Possible Successor, Seoul Says
South Korea’s intelligence agency believes Kim Jong Un is preparing his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, to become North Korea’s next leader.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) shared this assessment during a closed-door briefing to lawmakers on Thursday. According to Yonhap News Agency, officials said Ju Ae has entered what they described as the “succession selection stage.”
Lawmakers Park Seon-won and Lee Seong-gwon later spoke to reporters about the briefing. Lee said Ju Ae’s public profile has grown steadily over the past two years.
Growing Public Role
Kim Ju Ae first appeared in public in 2022. She stood beside her father during the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Since then, state media has frequently shown her at military events and inspections.
Recently, she attended an Armed Forces Day ceremony. She also visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun with her father. The palace is the burial site of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, North Korea’s former leaders.
Such appearances carry strong symbolism in North Korea. Leadership in the country has passed down through the Kim family for three generations.
Key Political Moment Ahead
Analysts are watching the upcoming Workers’ Party congress closely. It is one of the most important political events in North Korea.
If Ju Ae receives a formal title or prominent position at the congress, experts say speculation about her succession will grow stronger.
Little is known about Ju Ae. Her exact age has not been officially confirmed, but she is believed to be in her teens. North Korea has not formally named a successor.
Military Developments Continue
During the same briefing, the NIS also addressed North Korea’s military plans. Lawmakers said Kim is overseeing the development of a large submarine. The vessel could carry up to 10 submarine-launched ballistic missiles and may use nuclear power.
If confirmed, the project would mark a major step in Pyongyang’s weapons program.
For now, Ju Ae’s increasing visibility remains the clearest sign that Kim Jong Un may be shaping the future of North Korea’s leadership — quietly, but deliberately.
