In recent years, Kim Jong-un has often brought his eldest daughter, Kim Ju-ae, with him on trips abroad, leading to speculation that he intends to announce her position as his future successor. (AI-generated image)
[People News] Kim Ju-ae, who accompanied her father Kim Jong-un to Beijing, has been absent from public view these past few days. She was not seen attending the military parade with him, and no media outlets have reported her whereabouts. South Korean media speculate she may be visiting places considered essential for a successor to see.
On September 3, it was a busy day for Kim Jong-un. After the Beijing military parade, he attended the North Korea–Russia summit. His entourage, including Workers’ Party Vice Department Director Kim Yo-jong, Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui, and Propaganda Department Deputy Director Hyon Song-wol, was photographed accompanying him. But since Kim Ju-ae’s arrival in Beijing on September 2, she has not appeared in public. Some say she may be carrying out a non-public itinerary in China.
On September 4, Kim Ki-hong, a lawmaker from South Korea’s People Power Party, told the Chosun Ilbo: “During Kim Ju-ae’s visit to China, by reference to the precedents of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il’s visits, it is highly likely she is touring sites that every successor must see, as well as symbolically significant places.”
He added, “Since Kim Jong-un is making his debut on the multilateral diplomatic stage, bringing his daughter along could not have gone unnoticed by Beijing. North Korea must have carefully coordinated Ju-ae’s schedule with the Chinese side, and Beijing will take special care of her.”
Still, no one knows where Kim Ju-ae is, who she is with, or what she is doing.
Kim Ki-hong further explained that Kim Jong-un made the decision to publicly reveal his daughter at an early age because he was determined “not to let her repeat his own fate.” He said: “By disclosing her existence from a young age, he ensures she receives a complete and thorough successor’s education.”
Kim Jong-un is the third son of Kim Jong-il. As a child, he was not identified as heir. His elder brother, Kim Jong-nam, received the undivided affection of their father and grandfather, while Kim Jong-un was effectively “pushed out” to study in Switzerland—essentially abandoned for an extended time, which Kim Ki-hong believes left him with lasting trauma.
Because of this personal history, Kim Jong-un hopes his daughter will be different: visible to the public from childhood, learning broadly, and completing the full succession process.
When she was nine years old, Kim Ju-ae made her first public appearance with her father. Since then, she has often accompanied him to official events. Analysts broadly agree she is the designated “next-generation successor.”
South Korean media estimate that Kim Ju-ae is now 12–13 years old, entering adolescence. During this Beijing visit, many noted how much she has changed—her childhood innocence giving way to the look of a young woman.
North Korean media have never officially disclosed her name. At times, she has been called “beloved child” or “respected child.” More recently, state media have only published photos and videos highlighting her presence, avoiding those titles. Since she is still young and continues to receive training as a successor, her name will likely only be revealed when she formally assumes a Party position.
On September 4, former South Korean Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun told CBS Korea that Kim Jong-un’s decision to bring Kim Ju-ae to China highlights his “intention to pursue fourth-generation hereditary succession.”
Jeong added, “Within North Korea, it is widely known that Kim Ju-ae is Kim Jong-un’s successor. Especially at this diplomatic occasion, her title has already risen from ‘respected daughter’ to ‘new star general.’”
As for doubts about a woman being accepted as heir, Kim Ki-hong said, “I believe the Paektu bloodline makes no distinction between male and female. During Kim Jong-il’s era, in case he suddenly died, his sister Kim Kyong-hui served as the No. 2 figure.”
When Kim Jong-il suffered a stroke in 2009, Kim Jong-un was 25 and was named heir. After Kim Jong-il’s sudden death in 2011, Jong-un had only two years of preparation before taking power, which left him struggling to consolidate authority.
But U.S. parenting expert Kirsty Ketley warned in an interview with Fox News that thrusting Kim Ju-ae into the global spotlight at such a young age could have consequences.
She said Kim Ju-ae is being moulded into someone with a role to play, rather than being given enough support to discover herself. Such pressure could weigh heavily on her mental health.
If advising Kim Jong-un, Ketley said she would urge him to ensure that while exposing Ju-ae to power, he should also allow her a normal childhood—friendships, play, and even opportunities to fail. “These,” she emphasised, “are the true foundations of resilience.” △
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