North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has selected his daughter as his heir, South Korea's spy agency told lawmakers on Thursday. Little is known about Kim Ju Ae, who in recent months has been pictured beside her father in high-profile events like a trip to Beijing in September, marking her first known journey abroad. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) has noted considerations of her increased visibility at official events, signifying a potential designation as successor.
The NIS also plans to monitor whether she will attend North Korea's forthcoming party congress, a critical five-year political gathering. Lawmaker Lee Seong-kwen stated that Ju Ae is now at the stage of 'successor designation', having previously been characterized as 'trained' for this role.
Ju Ae, the only confirmed child of Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, first gained media attention through American basketball player Dennis Rodman in 2013. As of now, she is believed to be around 13 years old and made her first public appearance on state television in 2022, showcasing her inspection of military assets alongside her father.
Her growing involvement in state affairs is making some analysts reconsider the dynamics of succession in North Korea, particularly challenging the normative expectations of a male heir in the highly patriarchal structure. Several lawmakers, including Park Sun-won, indicate that Ju Ae's roles in public showings suggest her transition into a leadership position, possibly becoming second-in-command.
Interestingly, while her elevated status raises eyebrows due to her gender, Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, holds a significant political position, setting a precedent for female influence within the regime. Overall, the implications of having a young girl designated as the future leader pose positive and negative interpretations, considering the lack of transparency surrounding the ruling family's strategies. Following her father’s current trajectory may yield profound changes in North Korean governance, whether traditional or progressive.
The NIS also plans to monitor whether she will attend North Korea's forthcoming party congress, a critical five-year political gathering. Lawmaker Lee Seong-kwen stated that Ju Ae is now at the stage of 'successor designation', having previously been characterized as 'trained' for this role.
Ju Ae, the only confirmed child of Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, first gained media attention through American basketball player Dennis Rodman in 2013. As of now, she is believed to be around 13 years old and made her first public appearance on state television in 2022, showcasing her inspection of military assets alongside her father.
Her growing involvement in state affairs is making some analysts reconsider the dynamics of succession in North Korea, particularly challenging the normative expectations of a male heir in the highly patriarchal structure. Several lawmakers, including Park Sun-won, indicate that Ju Ae's roles in public showings suggest her transition into a leadership position, possibly becoming second-in-command.
Interestingly, while her elevated status raises eyebrows due to her gender, Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, holds a significant political position, setting a precedent for female influence within the regime. Overall, the implications of having a young girl designated as the future leader pose positive and negative interpretations, considering the lack of transparency surrounding the ruling family's strategies. Following her father’s current trajectory may yield profound changes in North Korean governance, whether traditional or progressive.
