Sources in South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has assessed that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has chosen his teenage daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as his heir apparent.
Kim Ju Ae, believed to be 13 years old, has increasingly appeared alongside her father at major state functions. Most notably, she accompanied him on a high-profile trip to Beijing in September 2025 her first known overseas visit. Analysts say her growing visibility signals a deliberate effort to position her as the future leader of the reclusive state.
According to South Korean lawmakers briefed by the NIS, the agency considered “a range of circumstances,” including Ju Ae’s public prominence, before concluding she is being groomed as Kim’s successor. The NIS had previously described her as being “trained” for leadership, but now believes she has formally been designated as heir.
The timing of this revelation is significant: North Korea is preparing for its Workers’ Party Congress, held once every five years. Observers are watching closely to see if Ju Ae will attend, as her presence would further cement her role in the country’s political future. The congress is expected to outline Pyongyang’s priorities for the next five years, including foreign policy, military strategy, and nuclear ambitions.
Kim Ju Ae is the only publicly known child of Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju. While details about her life remain scarce, her repeated appearances at military parades, banquets, and diplomatic events have drawn comparisons to how Kim Jong Un himself was gradually introduced to the public before succeeding his father, Kim Jong Il, in 2011.
