Kim Jong-un's daughter: Will she be the next heir to the North Korean throne?
The “beloved child,” as she is dubbed by Pyongyang’s official media, has sparked widespread debate and endless speculation about the future of leadership in North Korea. She is Kim Ju-ae, daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who in just a few months transformed from a shadowy figure about whom little was known to become a familiar face accompanying her father at major military and national events, thus opening the door to questions about the future of governance in the nuclear-armed state.
First appearance and timing implications
The world was in for a surprise in November 2022 when Kim Ju-ae made her first public appearance, holding her father's hand during a test launch of the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile. This appearance was not merely a casual or familial one; it was a powerful political message. Linking the image of the young girl to the regime's most powerful nuclear weapons sent a clear message to the world and to North Korea itself about the regime's continuity and the protection of the "Paektu bloodline" for future generations, and that the nuclear arsenal is the guarantor of these children's future.
From "beloved" to "respected": The evolution of titles
Analysts have closely observed the linguistic evolution in North Korean media's descriptions of the daughter. Initially referred to as "the beloved child," the description later evolved into "the respected child" or "the virtuous one," a title carrying significant political weight in North Korea's political lexicon. Historically, such descriptions have been used to glorify leaders and their heirs, reinforcing the theory that Kim Jong Un is paving the way for his daughter to assume senior leadership roles in the future, and perhaps even succeed him.
The historical context of the Kim dynasty
To understand the significance of this event, one must consider the history of North Korea's rule, established in 1948 by the grandfather, Kim Il-sung, and subsequently passed smoothly to his son, Kim Jong-il, and then to the current grandson, Kim Jong-un. Succession is a cornerstone of the totalitarian regime's stability. If Kim Ju-ae is indeed chosen as her father's successor, it will mark the first time a woman has led the isolated nation—a radical shift in a patriarchal society with a conservative political history, requiring extensive preparation to ensure the loyalty of the military and the party.
Mystery surrounds the brothers and intelligence reports
The scarcity of information about the Kim family makes the emergence of Kim Joo-ae all the more significant. South Korean intelligence reports (NIS) indicate that Kim Jong-un has three children, with Joo-ae believed to be the middle daughter. While there are rumors of an older son, his absence from public view and the exclusive focus on his daughter may suggest his father's favoritism towards her or the other son's perceived unsuitability. Intelligence agencies consider Kim Joo-ae the "most likely successor" at present, despite her young age, estimated at 10 to 12 years old.
Expected impact locally and internationally
International observers believe that Kim Jong-un's early promotion of his daughter is aimed at consolidating her legitimacy within the military and party elite well before any actual transfer of power, thus averting potential future conflicts that could threaten regional stability. Presenting her in a purely military context underscores that Pyongyang's future policy will not deviate from its path of armament, which implies continued security challenges for its neighbors and the United States. Ultimately, the issue of Kim Jong-un's succession remains shrouded in secrecy, but the persistent focus on the "beloved child" confirms that Pyongyang is planning for the long term, prioritizing the continuity of the ruling dynasty above all else.
