North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly designated his teenage daughter as his heir, according to the BBC. Lawmakers were briefed Thursday that Kim Ju Ae, believed to be around 13 years old, has entered what officials described as the “successor designation” stage.
Ju Ae has appeared repeatedly alongside her father at major state events over the past year. She was present at the founding anniversary of the Korean People’s Army, visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, and accompanied Kim to Beijing in September for a high-profile military parade. She first appeared on state television in 2022, holding her father’s hand while inspecting an intercontinental ballistic missile.
Lawmaker Lee Seong-kwen told reporters that “as Kim Ju Ae has shown her presence at various events… and signs have been detected of her voicing her opinion on certain state policies, the NIS believes she has now entered the stage of being designated as successor.”
The Korean news service said its assessment was based on a “range of circumstances,” including her growing prominence at official functions. The agency is watching closely to see whether she plays a formal role at the Workers’ Party congress later this month, a key political gathering held every five years.
Ju Ae is the only publicly acknowledged child of Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju. South Korean intelligence believes he also has an older son, though he has never appeared in state media. The Kim family has ruled North Korea for three generations, and leadership has traditionally passed through male heirs.
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Ju Ae has appeared repeatedly alongside her father at major state events over the past year. She was present at the founding anniversary of the Korean People’s Army, visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, and accompanied Kim to Beijing in September for a high-profile military parade. She first appeared on state television in 2022, holding her father’s hand while inspecting an intercontinental ballistic missile.
Lawmaker Lee Seong-kwen told reporters that “as Kim Ju Ae has shown her presence at various events… and signs have been detected of her voicing her opinion on certain state policies, the NIS believes she has now entered the stage of being designated as successor.”
The Korean news service said its assessment was based on a “range of circumstances,” including her growing prominence at official functions. The agency is watching closely to see whether she plays a formal role at the Workers’ Party congress later this month, a key political gathering held every five years.
Ju Ae is the only publicly acknowledged child of Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju. South Korean intelligence believes he also has an older son, though he has never appeared in state media. The Kim family has ruled North Korea for three generations, and leadership has traditionally passed through male heirs.
This is a breaking news story. Refresh for updates.
