Kim Jong Un's recent visit to China captured global attention, but it was his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, standing behind him that intrigued many. Analysts suggest she is a likely successor to her father, yet little is known about her.
Details regarding Kim Ju Ae's background remain elusive. Reportedly, she is the second of three children born to Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol-Ju, but only her existence has been verified by state sources. Initially, news of her was disclosed through Dennis Rodman, the American basketball player who met Kim during a visit in 2013.
Since her public debut at an intercontinental ballistic missile launch in November 2022, Kim Ju Ae has become increasingly visible, receiving military honors and even featured on North Korean postage stamps. Most recently, she accompanied her father during his foreign trip to China, marking a historic first for a Kim child outside North Korea.
The South Korean National Intelligence Service has speculated that she enjoys various activities, such as horse riding and swimming, and is believed to be around 10 years old. Observers note that her growing public profile aligns with the tradition of the Kim dynasty, which emphasizes a royal lineage capable of leading the nation.
As North Korea's familial rule persists, introducing Kim Ju Ae may aim to address societal expectations in a country where leadership has historically been male-dominated. Her increasing presence may not only signal a grooming for future leadership but also reflect the regime's adaptation to modern views on succession.
