Kim Jong-un’s daughter visits Kim Il-sung mausoleum, fueling succession rumors
Kim Jong-un’s daughter, Kim Ju-ae, has made a significant public appearance, accompanying her father and mother on a visit to the Kumsusan mausoleum. The January 1st excursion, during which she was pictured between her parents in the main hall of the Palace of the Sun, is seen by analysts as a calculated move ahead of a potential formalization of her succession. The Kumsusan mausoleum is where North Korea’s leader pays respects to former leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il on significant dates.
Kim Ju-ae’s profile has been rising steadily over the past three years, with increasingly prominent placements in state media. This has fueled speculation, particularly from South Korea’s intelligence agency, that she is being groomed as the country’s fourth-generation ruler. Experts suggest that portraying a stable family image, with the leader accompanied by his wife and daughter at major events, is part of the regime’s strategy.
However, some experts caution against definitive conclusions about Ju-ae’s succession. One analyst noted that publicly designating a successor who is believed to be only around 13 years old, and too young to even join the Workers’ Party, is practically impossible. Kim Ju-ae, reportedly born in the early 2010s, also attended New Year celebrations and embarked on her first overseas trip to Beijing with her father in September. North Korea has not officially confirmed her age. The presence of Kim Jong-un’s other children also leaves room for further consideration regarding the leadership’s future.
– David Miller (Miller.D@theseouljournal.com)
