Kim Ju Ae: North Korea's Rising Profile and Intensifying Succession Speculation

Kim Ju Ae, the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has significantly increased her public appearances, drawing international attention to her potential future role within the North Korean political structure. These appearances include a notable visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, observations of military drills, and attendance at a recently concluded Workers' Party congress, alongside evolving assessments from South Korean intelligence regarding her status as a potential successor.

Kim Ju Ae's Public Profile and Kumsusan Palace Visit

Kim Ju Ae, believed to be approximately 13 years old, made her first reported public appearance in November 2022 during a long-range missile test. Since then, she has accompanied her father, Kim Jong Un, to various high-profile events, including military parades, missile launches, factory openings, and a diplomatic trip to Beijing in September 2025.

On New Year's Day, January 1, 2026, she made her first reported visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang. This palace serves as a mausoleum for her late great-grandfather, Kim Il Sung, and grandfather, Kim Jong Il, whose embalmed bodies are displayed there. North Korean state media released images showing Kim Ju Ae, alongside her parents Kim Jong Un and Ri Sol Ju, bowing at the monument.

The Kumsusan Palace is considered a key symbol of the North Korean regime's legitimacy.

Kim Jong Un regularly visits the palace on significant state anniversaries; his visit on this occasion was his first in three years.

South Korean Intelligence and Expert Assessments on Succession

South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) has provided evolving assessments regarding Kim Ju Ae's potential succession.

• In January 2024, the NIS initially assessed her as her father's likely heir.
• By November 2025, the NIS informed lawmakers that Kim Jong Un did not appear to have significant health issues.
• More recently, during a closed-door briefing with legislators, the NIS shifted its assessment, stating that Kim Ju Ae is "nearing designation as the nation's future leader," indicating she has entered the "successor-designate stage." This marks a change from an earlier characterization of her being in "successor training."

The agency cited her increased presence at military events, her inclusion in the Kumsusan visit, and indications that Kim Jong Un was seeking her input on policy matters as reasons for this updated assessment.

Varied Expert Perspectives

Experts and officials have offered varied perspectives on the succession speculation:

• Cheong Seong-Chang, deputy head of South Korea's private Sejong Institute, characterized Kim Ju Ae's Kumsusan visit as a politically motivated action ahead of an upcoming Workers' Party congress, suggesting Kim Jong Un might appoint her to the position of first secretary, the party's second-highest role.
• Other analysts, including Hong Min of the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification and a spokesperson for South Korea's Unification Ministry, have expressed the view that she is currently too young for such senior appointments, citing her age and ineligibility to join the Workers' Party (which generally requires members to be at least 18). They consider it premature to conclude she is a successor.
• Koh Yu-hwan, former president of South Korea's Institute of National Unification, suggested that if Kim Jong Un uses the congress to solidify his daughter's succession, the indications would likely be subtle, possibly through statements praising the "successful inheritance of the revolution."

Historically, neither Kim Jong Un nor Kim Jong Il were featured in state media before reaching adulthood. Some analysts propose that Kim Jong Un's repeated public appearances with his daughter may be intended to solidify public support for the continuation of his family's rule, potentially influenced by his own rapid ascension to power.

Workers' Party Congress and Other Activities

A Workers' Party congress, the first in five years, concluded recently in Pyongyang after seven days of meetings. The congress was anticipated to establish new state policy priorities and involve official reshuffles. Although North Korea has not announced specific dates, the South Korean NIS had indicated it was likely to take place in January or February.

During the congress, Kim Jong Un reaffirmed plans to accelerate North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and maintained a hard-line stance toward South Korea, while indicating openness for dialogue with the U.S. under certain conditions. While Kim Ju Ae was present at a military parade concluding the congress, state media did not report any formal party post for her. North Korean state media reported that the meetings "laid a solid foundation for the sacred effort to ensure and realize the glorious succession and development of our party."

Other Notable Public Appearances

In addition to the congress, Kim Ju Ae has been observed at other significant events:

• She accompanied her father to inspect a light munitions factory, where both were photographed testing newly produced pistols.
• She observed a live-fire test of multiple rocket launch systems off North Korea’s east coast. This test, involving twelve 600mm-calibre rockets, occurred amidst the U.S.-South Korean Freedom Shield training. Kim Jong Un stated its purpose was to expose enemies to "uneasiness" and demonstrate the "destructive power of tactical nuclear weapon."

Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, was confirmed as the general affairs director of the party's central committee, indicating an expanded role overseeing internal party operations.

Family Dynasty and Additional Intelligence

North Korea has been ruled by male members of the Kim family since its founding in 1948: Kim Il Sung, followed by Kim Jong Il, and then Kim Jong Un. Kim Jong Un was named heir in 2010 at age 26, two years after his father suffered a stroke, and assumed leadership in December 2011.

North Korean state media has not published Kim Ju Ae's name, referring to her as Kim Jong Un's "respected" or "most beloved" child. The believed name, Kim Ju Ae, originates from former NBA star Dennis Rodman's account from 2013. South Korean intelligence officials estimate her birth year around 2013. In 2023, the NIS informed lawmakers that Kim Jong Un and his wife likely have an older son and a younger third child of unknown gender.

Separately, the NIS reported that Kim Jong Un is overseeing the development of a large submarine, assessed to be capable of carrying up to 10 submarine-launched ballistic missiles and potentially designed for nuclear reactor propulsion.