Kim Jong Un’s Daughter Emerges as Likely Successor, according to reports

South Korea’s intelligence agency has indicated that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to be preparing his teenage daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as his political heir.

Briefing lawmakers on Thursday, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) said its conclusion was based on a “range of circumstances,” primarily her increasingly visible and symbolic presence at major state functions. According to legislators who attended the closed-door session, Ju Ae has moved beyond being informally groomed and is now considered to be in the “successor designation” phase.

Rising Public Profile

Over the past two years, Ju Ae has transitioned from a little-known figure to a regular presence in state media. She first appeared publicly in 2022, holding her father’s hand while inspecting an intercontinental ballistic missile — a powerful image in a country where military strength is central to state identity.

Since then, she has accompanied the leader to high-profile events, including the founding anniversary of the Korean People’s Army and visits to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang, where North Korea’s former leaders lie in state. In September, she also joined him on a rare overseas trip to Beijing, marking her first known foreign visit.

Lawmakers cited intelligence assessments suggesting she has begun expressing views on certain state matters during internal events — an indication, they said, that she may be receiving early exposure to governance.

Symbolism and Signals

In North Korea’s tightly controlled media environment, positioning within official photographs carries significant meaning. Observers note that Ju Ae is often shown walking alongside her father rather than trailing behind him — a subtle but powerful visual cue in a system where hierarchy is rigidly displayed.

Her attire and appearance have also drawn attention. Frequently seen in designer outfits and wearing her hair long — a style restricted for most girls her age in North Korea — Ju Ae’s presentation sets her apart, reinforcing her elevated status.

Another lawmaker described her role at recent public engagements as resembling that of a de facto second-in-command.

Breaking Tradition?

The reported move raises questions in a country shaped by entrenched patriarchal norms. Although North Korea has passed leadership down through three generations of the Kim family, the idea of a female ruler has long been viewed as improbable by many defectors and analysts.

Yet there is precedent for influential women within the regime. Kim Yo Jong, the leader’s sister, holds a senior role in the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party and is widely believed to wield considerable influence.

Ju Ae is the only child publicly acknowledged by Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju. South Korean intelligence believes the couple may have an older son, but he has never been confirmed or shown in state media.

Early Designation Raises Questions

The timing of the alleged succession plan has also prompted speculation. Kim Jong Un, believed to be in his early forties and appearing in stable health, would not typically be expected to formalize an heir so early. Analysts suggest the move may be aimed at reinforcing regime stability or consolidating dynastic continuity.

Attention is now focused on whether Ju Ae will attend the upcoming party congress — the country’s largest political gathering, held once every five years. The event is expected to outline Pyongyang’s priorities on foreign relations, military strategy and nuclear development for the next half-decade.

Uncertain Future

When Kim Jong Un took power, some citizens quietly hoped his Western education might lead to reforms or greater openness. Those expectations largely faded as his rule became defined by weapons development and diplomatic brinkmanship.

If Ju Ae ultimately inherit leadership, it remains unclear whether her tenure would bring change or continuity. In a system where authority is concentrated in a single figure, the future direction of North Korea may one day rest in the hands of a leader now only 13 years old.

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