AnalysisN. Korean leader’s daughter draws attention on China trip as possible successor

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, Tuesday, in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency. Kim's daughter Ju-ae (circled in red) is seen in this photo. Yonhap

For her debut on the world stage, Kim Ju-ae, the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, stood prominently between her father and Chinese officials as he arrived in Beijing on Tuesday. Her presence on the landmark trip — the first multilateral summit attended by a North Korean leader in 45 years — added a fresh layer of intrigue to a visit already heavy with historical symbolism.

Kim’s arrival marked his entry into multilateral diplomacy as he joined Chinese and Russian leaders for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Yet for many observers, the spotlight shifted from the historic summit itself to the young girl at his side, intensifying speculation that she has been tapped as the dynastic heir.

Ju-ae’s conspicuous role follows a string of carefully choreographed domestic appearances alongside her father at missile tests, military parades and other high-profile events that have bolstered her image as a potential successor.

Believed to have been born in 2013 to Kim and his wife, Ri Sol-ju, Ju-ae first came to international attention when former NBA star Dennis Rodman, who visited Pyongyang in 2013 at Kim’s invitation, told The Guardian that he had held the North Korean leader’s daughter.

Ju-ae’s existence was officially revealed in 2022, when North Korea announced the successful launch of its Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). At the time, the Korean Central News Agency, the North’s state-run media outlet, said Kim had overseen the test “together with his beloved daughter and wife.”

Since then, Ju-ae has appeared more often in public. The following year, she made her debut in Pyongyang at a military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army.

At the event, North Korean Marshal Pak Jong-chon was seen kneeling and saluting her. That year, she was also featured on commemorative stamps marking the successful test launch of the Hwasong-17 ICBM.

In May, Ju-ae accompanied her father on a visit to the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang to mark Russia’s Victory Day.

Kim Ju-ae watches a military parade marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army at Kim Il-sung Square in Pyongyang, Feb. 8, 2023, in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap

In 2017, South Korean intelligence indicated that Kim Jong-un has three children: a son born in 2010, Ju-ae in 2013, and a third child born early in 2017 whose gender has not been confirmed. However, detailed information remains uncertain.

Experts say Ju-ae’s role as Kim Jong-un’s likely successor has gained plausibility with her participation in the Beijing visit.

Cheong Seong-chang, vice president of the Sejong Institute, told The Korea Times that a photo showing Ju-ae standing directly behind Kim as he was welcomed in Beijing indicates she is being treated as North Korea’s de facto next ruler.

“Kim’s decision to bring Ju-ae to China sends a strong message that she is his intended successor and marks the beginning of full-scale diplomatic training,” Cheong said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, attends a banquet with his daughter Ju-ae to mark the anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army, Feb. 7, 2023, in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency the following day. Yonhap.

He noted that former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il named his son, then only 8 years old, as his successor. However, Kim Jong-un was largely isolated and given few opportunities to gain diplomatic experience until 2018, when he began holding summits with the leaders of China, South Korea and the United States.

“Kim appears determined not to pass down the same unfortunate experience to Ju-ae. By bringing her to China at an early age, he is showing a firm intention to expose her to diplomacy and provide hands-on training,” Cheong said.

Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean studies at Ewha Womans University, agreed that Ju-ae’s prospects have strengthened with the Beijing visit.

“At the very least, it suggests China has given tacit approval to a fourth-generation hereditary transfer of power,” he said.

But Park added that Ju-ae still faces major hurdles.

“In past succession processes, the heir had to prove military leadership. In that sense, her gender in a deeply patriarchal society and her young age — just 13 — could both pose significant challenges,” he said.

But some experts caution that while Ju-ae is clearly undergoing training that would allow her to succeed her father, it remains to be seen whether she has been formally confirmed as the heir.

Yang Moo-jin, professor emeritus of the University of North Korean Studies, said Ju-ae would need to be explicitly named in state media like the Rodong Sinmun, rather than referred to vaguely as “his beloved daughter,” for her status as successor to be confirmed. A cult of personality would also need to be built around her, he added.

“To be officially named as heir, one must be at least 20 years old and hold an official title,” Yang said. “Ju-ae is still too young and currently undergoing succession training. There could be many obstacles ahead, and calling her the confirmed heir at this stage is premature.”