North Korean State Media Elevates Kim Jong Un’s Daughter to Potential Successor
North Korean state media recently referred to leader Kim Jong Un’s teenage daughter as a “great person of guidance,” a term usually reserved for senior leaders, hinting at her potential succession. This move has sparked speculation among analysts about her future role in the regime.
Signs of Succession
During Kim Jong Un and his daughter’s visit to a greenhouse farm, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) used the plural form of the honorific “great persons of guidance,” indicating that it applied to both of them. This marks the first time Kim’s daughter, known as Ju Ae by South Korean intelligence, has been described in such a manner by North Korean state media.
Implications of the Title
Analysts suggest that the use of the term “great person of guidance” for Kim Jong Un’s daughter signifies a significant elevation in her status within the leadership hierarchy. The term “hyangdo,” meaning guidance, is typically reserved for top leaders or successors in the regime, leading to speculation about her potential succession to leadership.
Public Appearances and Speculations
Ju Ae first gained public attention in 2022 when she accompanied her father to the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Since then, she has been seen at various official events alongside Kim Jong Un, including military drills, visits to weapons facilities, and military parades.
In a recent image released by Pyongyang, Ju Ae was observed using binoculars during paratroop drills, standing alongside her father and senior military officials. This public visibility further fuels speculation about her future role in the regime.
Previous Speculations and Confirmations
Former NBA star Dennis Rodman had previously mentioned meeting Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Ju Ae, during a visit to North Korea in 2013. While initial reports indicated that Kim and his wife had a son in 2010 and a daughter, Ju Ae, as their second child, recent statements from Seoul suggest uncertainty regarding the son’s existence.