North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly chosen his young daughter Kim Ju Ae as his likely successor, according to South Korean intelligence officials. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) stated that they considered "a variety of circumstances, including her increasingly frequent public appearances at official events" in arriving at this conclusion, as reported by the BBC.
Here's all you need to know about North Korea's likely successor:
Rising public profile: Kim Ju Ae, who is estimated to be 13 years old, has increasingly been seen alongside her father at high-level government events. One of the most recent instances was her trip to Beijing in September, which was her first known trip outside of the country.
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Over the course of the last year, she has been seen at missile tests, military inspections, and government functions, which have attracted the notice of observers who believe these appearances are carefully planned.
Her attendance at political event: Observers are also paying attention to whether Ju Ae will attend the upcoming party congress in North Korea, a significant political event that is held every five years and often indicates leadership priorities and changes.
Only known child: Ju Ae is the only known child of Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju, although the intelligence service believes that the couple may have an older son who has never been publicly shown in government media. She was first revealed to exist in 2013 when former NBA star Dennis Rodman mentioned meeting her during a visit to the country, according to a report by the BBC.
Appearance at key events: Ju Ae was later shown on North Korean television in 2022, holding her father's hand as she inspected an intercontinental ballistic missile, which marked her first appearance before the public.
Twist in the Kim dynasty saga: North Korea has been ruled by three generations of the Kim family, and observers view this latest development of Kim Jong Un's promotion of his daughter as the possible prelude to a fourth generation.
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Voicing views on state policy: South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kwen stated that the NIS has noticed signs that Kim Ju Ae has started voicing opinions on some state policies. This suggests she has entered the successor designation stage, according to a BBC report.
