What Kim Ju Ae’s Appearances Mean for North Korea

By: Eileen Lee

North Korea has protected the private lives of its ruling family for decades. When Kim Jong Un publicly introduced his young daughter during a missile test observation in 2022, it changed the precedent and sparked a discussion about her future in politics. In one of the most secretive political systems in the world, analysts now closely examine every appearance for hints of succession. Her presence signifies a significant shift in the regime's messaging and potentially its long-term leadership calculations, even though Pyongyang has not formally named an heir.

Internationally, the child who is thought to be Kim Jong Un's daughter is known as Kim Ju Ae. Dennis Rodman initially made this name public, but North Korean authorities have never verified it. According to South Korean intelligence, she was born in 2012 or 2013, making her age 12 or 13 in 2025. Ju Ae's early appearances are symbolic, in contrast to her male predecessors, who rose through official party and military channels. Speculation that her role is more than ceremonial has been fueled by North Korean state media's description of her using honorific terms like "respected" and "beloved," which are typically used to describe people elevated within the Kim family's political mythology.

Ju Ae has been spotted at military parades, missile inspections, and diplomatic events since 2022, which is unusual for a leader's child in the DPRK. International succession theories intensified when she travelled to China with her father in 2025, making her first significant international appearance. Experts assert that in order to maintain dynastic continuity in the face of diplomatic pressure, the regime may be using these appearances to foster familiarity among the public and domestic elites. North Korea's political theatre frequently accomplishes several strategic goals at once, projecting loyalty and stability without making a formal announcement.

However, Ju Ae lacks the military rank, political experience, and Workers' Party credentials typically associated with leadership legitimacy in North Korea, despite international narratives designating her as a possible successor. Through party, military, and ideological networks, the DPRK's system consolidates power. Although her current position is unprecedented in history, analysts warn that it might be narrative engineering rather than formal grooming. Her future leadership remains hypothetical until the regime formalizes her position.

References

AFP. (2025, September 11). North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, “likely successor”: Seoul. The New Indian Express. https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2025/Sep/11/north-korean-leader-kim-jong-uns-daughter-kim-ju-ae-likely-successor-seoul

Associated Press. (2025, September 11). “Beloved Child” Ju Ae Recognised As Kim Jong Un’s Successor: South Korea’s Spy Agency. NDTV. https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/beloved-child-ju-ae-recognised-as-kim-jong-uns-successor-in-north-korea-south-koreas-spy-agency-9256863

Kim, H.-J. (2026, January 2). Kim Jong Un’s daughter visits family mausoleum in North Korea for first time. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-kim-daughter-532dafa13d925d44c507717992c64f52

Park, J., & Kim, J. (2026, January 2). North Korea leader Kim Jong Un’s daughter makes public visit to state mausoleum. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-leader-kim-jong-uns-daughter-makes-public-visit-state-mausoleum-2026-01-01/

Robles, P., & Choe Sang-Hun. (2025, August 11). North Korea’s Next Leader? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/briefing/north-koreas-succession-kim-jong-un.html