Interest in the ‘Successor Initiation’ for 12-Year-Old Girl
“Kim Ju-ae Captivates with Neat Attire”
“Overcoming Prejudice Against Female Leaders in North Korea”
This Accompaniment May Be a Key Part of Successor Preparation “Foreign media showed great interest in North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attending the ’80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Anti-Japanese War and World Anti-Fascist War (World War II)’ military parade at Tiananmen Square with his daughter, Kim Ju-ae.”
It is interpreted that Kim Ju-ae, suspected to be the de facto successor, made her debut on the international stage. Kim Ju-ae did not ascend the reviewing stand during the parade.
The BBC reported on the 2nd (local time) in an online article, “While Kim Jong-un’s visit to China made headlines, what captivated observers in South Korea was the neat appearance of the girl, Kim Ju-ae, standing behind him as he alighted from his private train.”
Citing the South Korean National Intelligence Service, the BBC introduced Kim Ju-ae as the most probable successor to Kim Jong-un. She is the only child of Kim Jong-un confirmed by the North Korean leadership, with no other children ever being in the public eye.
The BBC also added that Kim Ju-ae enjoys horseback riding, skiing, and swimming and is likely homeschooled in Pyongyang, estimating her age around 10. According to the National Intelligence Service, she is estimated to be 12 years old.
The BBC took note of the respectful terms used by North Korean media when mentioning Kim Ju-ae, such as “respected.” These titles, like “respected” and “beloved,” are reserved in North Korea for those of the highest rank, and were only attributed to Kim Jong-un after his status as a successor was solidified. This visit to China, where Kim Ju-ae was seen outside of North Korea for the first time, will likely strengthen the speculation that she is Kim Jong-un’s successor.
The BBC conveyed that some speculate Kim Jong-un’s decision to bring Kim Ju-ae on this visit aims to dispel prejudice in North Korea, a country with a strong patriarchal tradition and no precedent for female leadership.
CNN described the young girl’s first public international trip as having immense significance, noting that, just as Kim stood with President Xi and President Putin at the parade, “she too will need to coordinate such partnerships one day.”
Reuters ran a detailed article titled “North Korea’s Heir Apparent Makes an International Debut in China,” introducing Kim Ju-ae comprehensively.
Michael Madden, a North Korea expert at the U.S. think tank Stimson Center, said in an interview with Reuters, “At this point, the second daughter, Kim Ju-ae, is the front-runner as North Korea’s next supreme leader,” noting that through this visit, she is gaining substantial diplomatic experience as a future leader or core elite.
Rachel Minyoung Lee, another researcher at the Stimson Center, pointed out that Kim Ju-ae has expanded her public appearances from military-related events to political and economic ones over recent years. “If this is part of a succession plan, this international debut could be seen as aiding such a process,” she said.
Lee Kyu-hwa, Senior Reporter, [email protected].
Kim Jong-un and his daughter Ju-ae visiting the Nampo Shipyard last April. North Korea Central TV = Yonhap News Agency file photo