The teenage daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently visited a revered family mausoleum, a move seen as boosting her potential as her father’s successor. This visit, occurring on New Year’s Day, sparked speculation that the girl, reportedly named Kim Ju-ae and around 13 years old, could be appointed to a significant role at the upcoming ruling Workers’ Party congress.
Images released by North Korea’s state media depicted Kim Ju-ae standing alongside her parents and bowing deeply at Pyongyang’s Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, a symbolic location showcasing the legitimacy of the North Korean regime. According to Cheong Seong-Chang from the Sejong Institute in South Korea, this visit was strategically timed before the Workers’ Party congress to make a political statement.
Kim Jong-un, the third-generation leader of North Korea, often honors key state occasions by visiting the Kumsusan Palace to pay respects to his late father, Kim Jong-il, and grandfather, Kim Il-sung. Speculations suggest that Kim Jong-un might assign his daughter a significant role like the first secretary post at the Workers’ Party congress, although some experts believe she may be too young for such a high-profile position and could start with lower-level responsibilities.
The upcoming congress, the first in five years, aims to set new state policies and rearrange officials. While the exact date is undisclosed, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service anticipates it will take place in either January or February.
Kim Ju-ae has been making public appearances since November 2022, accompanying her father to various events, including military displays and diplomatic trips. Her visible presence alongside Kim Jong-un indicates a potential future role in the country’s leadership. The NIS has identified her as a possible heir to her father, although some experts question this due to Kim Jong-un’s age and the male-dominated structure of power in North Korea. Reports indicate that Kim Jong-un seems to be introducing Kim Ju-ae to the public eye to solidify support for the family’s continued rule.
