Who is Kim Ju-ae: The Possible Successor and Secret Princess of North Korea
Kim Ju-ae is considered the potential successor and secret princess of North Korea
Have you heard of Kim Ju-ae? Perhaps not. She is the daughter of Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, and has lived a secluded life away from the world. However, recently, she has started to make more frequent public appearances alongside her father at official events, raising questions about her role and status within the ruling regime. Is she just a child accompanying her father, or is she a potential heir to power in North Korea?
Private life
There isn’t much information available about Kim Ju-ae, as her father maintains extreme secrecy about his family. We know she was born in 2012, the daughter of Kim Jong-un and Ri Sol-ju, with older and younger siblings whose names and ages are unknown. Kim Ju-ae first appeared to the world in 2013, at the age of one, during a visit by Dennis Rodman, the famous American basketball player, to North Korea. Rodman mentioned meeting Kim Jong-un and his family, including carrying Kim Ju-e in his arms. Since then, North Korean official media has not mentioned her name or age, but she is recognized as Kim Jong-un‘s daughter.
According to South Korean intelligence, Kim Ju-ae does not attend any school in North Korea but receives education at home in the capital, Pyongyang. She engages in hobbies such as horseback riding, swimming, and snow skiing. Kim Jong-un takes pride in his daughter’s equestrian skills, a sport popular among the ruling elite in North Korea.
Public appearances
Kim Ju-e has started to appear more frequently alongside her father in public events since November 2022, participating in missile tests. Since then, she has attended various military and civilian events, including New Year celebrations at the May 1st Stadium, where she kissed her father on the cheek. She also witnessed the launch of the Hwasong-18 missile, considered North Korea’s most powerful ballistic missile, and the launch of the Malgyeong-1 satellite, claimed to be capable of monitoring the White House.
Kim Ju-ae has been titled “Respected” in official media, a designation used for revered figures in North Korea. This change in title suggests that Kim Ju-e holds a prestigious position in the ruling regime, trusted by her father.
In February 2023, North Korean authorities ordered all women named Kim Ju-ae to change their names, a sign of special respect for the leader’s daughter.
Possible successor
It’s not clear what motivates Kim Ju-e’s increasing appearances alongside her father and whether she is preparing to succeed him in the future. Some analysts believe that Kim Jong-un wants to educate his daughter on governance, making her a legitimate heir in case of any unforeseen circumstances. This doesn’t necessarily imply health issues for Kim Jong-un; North Korea recently denied rumors of his deteriorating health.
Others think that Kim Jong-un is using his daughter as a means to improve his public image, portraying him as a loving and caring parent, aligning with government propaganda that glorifies the paternal role of previous leaders, Kim Jong-il and Kim Il-sung. Some observers believe that Kim Ju-e represents a symbol of family and national unity in North Korea.
Since the founding of North Korea in 1948, the country has not had a female leader. However, this doesn’t rule out Kim Ju-ae as the potential next leader, as belonging to the Kim family is a fundamental requirement for legitimacy and credibility in North Korea. Kim Ju-ae may have an advantage over any external candidate.
Possible female competition
There is a potential competition from Kim Jong-un‘s sister, Kim Yo-jong, who holds a high position in the Workers’ Party of Korea and has met with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
In the end, predicting the future of North Korea is challenging. The country lives in isolation and secrecy, not easily revealing its intentions or plans.
But what seems clear is that Kim Ju-ae plays a significant role in the ruling regime, enjoys her father’s trust, and represents a new generation of the Kim family. She might be the next leader of North Korea, or perhaps just another face of government propaganda.
