North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has selected his daughter as his heir, South Korea's spy agency reported on Thursday. Kim Ju Ae, who is believed to be 13, has recently gained visibility at high-profile events including a trip to Beijing in September. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) noted her increasing public presence at official events as a key factor in this assessment.
The NIS will closely monitor her anticipated attendance at the upcoming North party congress, a significant political event held every five years, where important policies regarding foreign affairs and military strategy are discussed.
In the past few months, Kim Ju Ae has shown her presence at various events, leading lawmakers to suggest that she has moved from 'training' to being recognized as a 'designated successor.' This observation highlights her active participation in state matters and her growing role in the regime.
As the only recognized child of Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, Kim Ju Ae's lineage puts her in line for power in a country where leadership has traditionally passed through the male line of the Kim family. The NIS has indicated that generally patriarchal norms might have made her selection unusual, especially considering there are speculated to be other potential heirs.
Further complicating the narrative, Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong, also wields significant influence, indicating that the Kim family may be navigating towards a more inclusive representation of leadership in a deeply gendered hierarchy.
Despite speculation about her succession, questions remain about the practicality and implications of elevating a child to a position of power. Will Kim Ju Ae herald any significant change, particularly in light of her father's governance styles that diverged from initial hopes for reform?
As she becomes a more prominent figure alongside her father, the future course of North Korea under her potential leadership remains a subject of intense scrutiny.
