Pyongyang – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to be positioning his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as his successor, according to South Korean officials. The assessment, delivered by lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun following a briefing from the National Intelligence Service (NIS), marks a significant shift in how Seoul views the young Kim’s role within the North Korean regime.
Lee Seong-kweun stated that the NIS now believes Kim Ju Ae is “at the stage of being designated as successor,” a more definitive assessment than previous descriptions of her as being “trained” for the role. This conclusion stems from her increasingly frequent appearances at high-profile state events and indications that she is being included in discussions regarding government policy.
The Kim dynasty has ruled North Korea for decades, underpinned by a powerful ideology of hereditary succession known as the “Paektu bloodline.” Kim Ju Ae’s growing visibility since her first public appearance in 2022 – observing a missile launch alongside her father – has fueled speculation about her potential future leadership. State media has increasingly referred to her with honorifics typically reserved for the most senior figures in North Korean society, including Kim Jong Un himself, initially describing her as “beloved” and “precious” before adopting the term “respected.”
Born around 2012 or 2013, Kim Ju Ae is the daughter of Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju. Her existence was first revealed to the outside world in an unexpected manner: through American basketball player Dennis Rodman, who recounted holding the infant Ju Ae during a controversial visit to Pyongyang in 2013. “I held their baby Ju Ae and spoke with (Kim’s wife) as well,” Rodman told The Guardian at the time.
Prior to the NIS’s latest assessment, details about Kim Ju Ae’s upbringing remained largely unknown. South Korean intelligence previously reported that she had not been enrolled in formal education, instead receiving schooling at home in Pyongyang. Reports also indicated she enjoys hobbies such as horseback riding, swimming and skiing, with Kim Jong Un reportedly pleased with her equestrian skills.
The NIS has also indicated the existence of an older brother, whose existence has never been publicly acknowledged by North Korea, and a younger sibling whose gender remains unconfirmed. Neither sibling has been seen in public.
Kim Ju Ae’s recent prominence extends beyond military displays. She accompanied her father on a state visit to Beijing in September 2025, marking her first known trip abroad, and has been featured in state media alongside Kim Jong Un during visits to significant sites like the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the mausoleum of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. A photograph released in November 2023 placed her in the foreground, with Kim Jong Un in the background – a symbolic positioning analysts believe required his explicit approval.
The increasing visibility of a female successor challenges the traditionally male-dominated leadership structure of North Korea. However, Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s sister, already holds a powerful position within the ruling Workers’ Party, demonstrating a degree of precedent for female leadership within the regime.
The NIS will closely monitor Kim Ju Ae’s participation in the upcoming party congress, a major political event held every five years, and any titles or designations she may receive. This congress is expected to outline North Korea’s priorities for the next five years, including its foreign policy, military planning, and nuclear ambitions.
The shift in assessment from “training to be a successor” to “successor designation” suggests a deliberate and accelerating effort to prepare Kim Ju Ae for leadership. This move, while surprising to some observers, reflects the Kim dynasty’s commitment to maintaining its grip on power and ensuring a smooth transition of authority in the future. The implications of this succession planning extend beyond the Korean peninsula, potentially reshaping the geopolitical landscape of Northeast Asia and influencing international efforts to address North Korea’s nuclear program.