Kim Jong Un Considers His Daughter as Successor – South Korean Intelligence
According to assessments from South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS), North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is likely planning to pass power to his daughter Kim Ju Ae after his death.
The leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, is reportedly considering transferring authority in the country to his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, following his demise, as indicated by estimates from the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS). This information was reported on Monday by Yonhap News Agency, citing intelligence data.
The NIS report highlights that Kim Ju Ae has recently been making active appearances at events related to the defense industry. This is perceived as an effort to mitigate skepticism regarding the possibility of a woman becoming a successor and to accelerate the narrative of power succession in North Korea. South Korean parliament members have also received excerpts from this statement, underscoring the significance of this information.
Furthermore, the intelligence suggests that Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, who is often regarded as the second most important figure in North Korean leadership, does not possess substantial authority and is unlikely to contend for the role of the next leader of the country. This may indicate that Kim Ju Ae has a greater chance of inheriting power than her aunt.
It is noteworthy that since 2022, Kim Jong Un has regularly appeared in public alongside his daughter. For instance, last month, he observed training exercises involving new battle tanks, and Kim Ju Ae was photographed commanding one of the tanks. The daughter of Kim Jong Un is also frequently present at military parades and state celebrations, highlighting her growing role in the public life of the country.
Additionally, North Korean media periodically publish information about Kim Jong Un's working trips that involve Kim Ju Ae. This could suggest that the North Korean regime is attempting to prepare the public for a potential transition of power to the younger generation.
However, it is important to note that information regarding Kim Jong Un's personal life is extremely limited. It is known that he has three children, but only Kim Ju Ae appears in public. The exact age of the girl is not disclosed, but estimates suggest she is between 12 and 14 years old. Interestingly, one of the sources of information about Kim Ju Ae has been former American basketball player Dennis Rodman, who had the opportunity to interact with Kim Jong Un and his family during visits to North Korea.
As for Kim Jong Un's wife, former singer Ri Sol Ju, her age is also undisclosed. According to foreign sources, she may be between 36 and 41 years old. This further emphasizes the closed nature of the North Korean regime regarding the personal lives of its leaders.
Western media periodically publish analyses concerning potential successors to Kim Jong Un. Such speculations often arise amid rumors about possible health issues facing the leader, which could compel him to transfer power in the future. This raises interest in the question of succession in North Korea and the role that Kim Ju Ae may play in this process.