South Korea’s intelligence agency has pointed to a surprising figure in the line of succession for North Korea: Kim Ju-ae, the daughter of leader Kim Jong Un. Recent high-profile trips with her father suggest she’s being groomed for the top job. This marks a significant shift in a nation known for its hidden leadership.
Just recently, Kim Ju-ae joined her father on a journey to Beijing. There, she met with China’s President Xi Jinping. She also made headlines meeting Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. Lawmaker Lee Seong-geun shared details from the National Intelligence Service. The spy agency believes these trips were key. They helped Kim Ju-ae build a strong public image. This image is crucial for anyone hoping to lead the country next.
It wasn’t that long ago, in 2022, when Kim Ju-ae first stepped into the public eye. She stood beside her father during a big missile launch. Since then, North Korean state media has used special names for her. They called her “beloved daughter” and a “great person of guidance.” These are titles usually saved for the country’s most important leaders. Or for those expected to take over.
Before 2022, most people didn’t even know she existed. Only one person had spoken about her publicly. That was former NBA star Dennis Rodman. He claimed to have met a young Kim Ju-ae back in 2013. This brief mention was the sole clue to her life behind the scenes. It shows just how private the family’s world usually is.
For a while, there was talk of other children. South Korean officials once believed Kim Jong Un had a first son in 2010. They thought Kim Ju-ae was the second child. But later, in 2023, South Korea’s Unification Minister couldn’t confirm the son’s existence. Now, lawmaker Lee Seong-geun also dismissed many rumors. He said stories about other children, including any with disabilities or studying abroad, are simply “unreliable.” He noted it would be very hard to keep such information secret.
Source: AFP