Kim Joo-ae: Will she succeed her father, Kim Jong-un, as ruler of North Korea?
In a significant development that is reshaping the political landscape on the Korean Peninsula, recent intelligence reports reveal that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is taking rapid steps to pave the way for his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, to become the likely successor to power in the world's most isolated nation. These moves are no longer mere speculation, but are now supported by official assessments from South Korea's National Intelligence Service, raising profound questions about the future of the Kim dynasty.
Intelligence assessments: Training has already begun
South Korean lawmaker Lee Sung-kyun, citing a report from the National Intelligence Service, stated that Pyongyang is actively grooming Kim Ju-ae to succeed her father. The report, released ahead of a crucial political rally of the ruling party, indicated that leader Kim is increasingly bringing his daughter to sensitive official and military events, not only as his daughter but also as a rising political figure. The intelligence agency assesses that the teenage girl is steadily progressing toward becoming the fourth successor in the family's history, with her movements and public appearances being closely monitored.
The Paektu Mountain Dynasty: The Historical Context of Rule
To understand the significance of this event, one must consider the historical background of North Korea's political system. Since the state's founding in 1948 by the grandfather and founder, Kim Il-sung, political legitimacy has rested on the so-called "Mountain Paektu bloodline," a lineage that claims divine and historical right to rule. Power has passed from the founder to his son, Kim Jong-il, and then to the current grandson, Kim Jong-un. The selection of a fourth-generation heir is a continuation of this rigid political doctrine, ensuring the loyalty of the elite and the military to the ruling family, making the selection of Kim Ju-ae a pivotal event in the country's history.
From "the beloved child" to "the great mentor"
Kim Ju-ae's rise to prominence was not a fleeting one; North Korean state media gradually shifted its language when referring to her. From being described as a "lovable child" upon her first public appearance in 2022 during an intercontinental ballistic missile launch, her titles began to take on a more grandiose and authoritative tone, such as "Great Leader" (Hyangdo), a term previously reserved for top leaders. She accompanied her father on high-profile visits, such as to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, where her grandfather and great-grandfather are buried, carrying strong symbolic weight regarding her legitimacy as the heir to the revolutionary royal bloodline.
Expected regional and international impacts
The potential rise of Kim Ju-ae carries significant political and military messages for the international community. Domestically, this early preparation may indicate Kim Jong-un's desire to secure the regime's long-term stability and preempt any potential internal power struggles. Regionally and internationally, it signifies the continuation of North Korea's military and nuclear agenda, as the girl's emergence has always been linked to the military arsenal, from ballistic missiles to massive military parades. This association sends a clear message to Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo that the next generation of North Korean leaders will maintain nuclear capabilities as a guarantee of the regime's survival.
Political circles are awaiting the upcoming conference of the ruling party in Pyongyang, where analysts expect Kim Ju-ae to be given an official position or party title that enhances her status and may pave the way for her appointment as the party's "first secretary," effectively making her the second most powerful man in the country.
