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| North Korean leader Kim Jong-un listens to his daughter Ju-ae during a photo session with military officers and other contributors to the development of the Hwasong-17, the biggest and longest-range North Korean ICBM, at an unidentified location in North Korea, in this photo released Sunday by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap |
Kim Ju-ae may eventually be announced as heir apparent: expert
By Jung Min-ho
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's daughter, Ju-ae, made her second public appearance during an event where her father praised military officers for their progress in developing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
The daughter, whom South Korean intelligence officials believe to be his second child, was revealed to the public for the first time a week ago in the Nov. 18 photos, showing her with Kim inspecting the launch of the Hwasong-17 missile ― North Korea's biggest, longest-range ICBM designed to carry multiple nuclear warheads.
In photos released Sunday by the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Ju-ae, who is wearing a long black coat, can be seen linking arms with her father as they celebrate the test. The state-run broadcaster described Ju-ae, who obviously resembles her parents, especially mother Ri Sol-ju, as a "precious jajeboon," a term of respect for a child.
The same day, North Korea's official newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun, described her as "the most beloved jajeboon."
The unusual descriptions used by the media suggest that the North Korean leader may have already started grooming her as his successor, according to Cheong Seong-chang, an expert on North Korea at The Sejong Institute, a South Korean think tank.
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| North Korean leader Kim Jong-un walks with his daughter Ju-ae during an event to reward military officers and other contributors for the development of the Hwasong-17, the biggest and longest-range North Korean ICBM, at an unidentified location in North Korea, in this photo released Sunday by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap |
"When Ri Sol-ju made her first public appearance with Kim in July 2012, the Rodong Sinmun described her as '(Kim's) wife, comrade Ri Sol-ju' without using any other special title such as precious. It is an exceptional case," Cheong said in an analysis sent to The Korea Times. "Ju-ae was described as 'the most beloved child,' which made it clear that she will succeed him. If a king has multiple children, it is natural that the most beloved one will become the heir apparent."
According to National Intelligence Service reports at the National Assembly, Kim Jong-un has three children, who were born in 2010, 2013 and 2017. The first one is believed to be a son; it is unclear whether the third is a boy or a girl. Information about the children is a source of great outside interest as the ruler has not publicly appointed a successor.
It is important to remember, Cheong said, that Kim Jong-un was regarded as the de facto heir apparent to his father, Kim Jong-il, when he was just eight years old despite being his third child.
"Just as Kim Jong-il chose Kim Jong-un, his third son who most closely resembled his personality, over his first and second ones, as his heir apparent at an early age, I think Kim Jong-un chose Kim Ju-ae, 'the most beloved child,' as his," Cheong said. "Kim Jong-un may feel pressure for putting forward a daughter and not a son as North Korea's fourth leader. So, he seems to have prepared well to pass down the loyalty of North Korean officials and people smoothly … Kim Ju-ae is expected to continue making public appearances with her father from time to time."
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| North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's daughter Ju-ae shakes hands with a solder during an event to reward the military officers and other contributors for the development of the Hwasong-17, the North's biggest and longest-range ICBM, at an unidentified location in North Korea, in this photo released Sunday by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap |
Regime aims to have world's most powerful nuclear force
At the event, Kim Jong-un said he aims to secure the world's most powerful nuclear force as he promoted dozens of military officers who made contributions to the ICBM's development.
Hailing the Hwasong-17 missile as "the world's strongest strategic weapon," he praised the military officers and scientists who made the "wonderful leap forward in the development of the technology of mounting nuclear warheads on ballistic missiles," according to the KCNA.
He also said North Korea's "ultimate goal is to possess the world's most powerful strategic force, an absolute force unprecedented in the century."
Jang Chang-ha, chief of the Academy of National Defense Science, and Kim Jong-sik, deputy head of the Munitions Industry Department of the ruling Workers' Party, were among those promoted.
The launch vehicle for the Hwasong-17 was awarded the title of "DPRK hero."
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