Why North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un’s daughter may succeed him?

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, is considered the “most likely” successor, as revealed by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS). 

This marks the first official recognition of Kim Ju Ae’s potential role, although the NIS remains open to various succession possibilities given Kim Jong Un’s youth and good health. 

The NIS emphasises Kim Ju Ae’s increasing prominence, evident in her public appearances since late 2022, and notes the shift in her descriptor from “beloved” to “respected” daughter. 

Analysts suggest that Kim Jong Un’s early introduction of Kim Ju Ae may serve strategic purposes, ensuring her established presence before assuming power and challenging North Korea’s patriarchal norms.

Despite the secretive nature of North Korean leadership, this move aligns with Kim Jong Un’s apparent effort to solidify a succession plan for the next generation.

Kim Ju Ae believed to be around 10 years old and the second oldest child of Kim Jong Un, has accompanied her father to significant events, including missile tests and military parades. 

The NIS’s assessment echoes a similar perspective expressed by South Korea’s unification minister, Kim Yung-ho, in a recent press conference. The continuous emphasis on Kim Jong Un’s daughter is viewed as indicative of North Korea expediting succession plans amid internal challenges. 

The adjective “respected” is particularly noteworthy, as it is reserved for North Korea’s most revered figures. Kim Jong Un’s strategic move to introduce Kim Ju Ae early into the public sphere may serve multiple purposes, including establishing her credibility and overcoming gender biases in a country that has never been led by a woman.

This revelation comes as North Korea strives to maintain its narrative of a sacred bloodline, emphasising the exclusive right of the Kims to lead the country. 

Kim Jong Un’s efforts to position Kim Ju Ae as a potential successor coincide with her active participation in key events, such as the recent launch of North Korea’s advanced Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). 

The move may signify a departure from the traditional secrecy surrounding North Korean leaders’ families, indicating a strategic shift in the regime’s approach to succession planning.