She’s daddy’s little dictator. Meet Kim Jong Un’s 13-year-old daughter likely being groomed to replace him
North Korea may be preparing for a dramatic shift in its ruling dynasty, with leader Kim Jong Un reportedly elevating his young daughter as a potential heir, according to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS).
Lawmakers in Seoul said the spy agency believes Kim’s daughter — widely thought to be 13-year-old Kim Ju Ae — has entered the early phase of being positioned as his successor. Such a move would mark an unprecedented moment in the country’s deeply patriarchal leadership structure. Still, analysts caution that her youth and gender would not necessarily signal a softer style of governance.
Joseph Bermudez Jr., a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said any successor raised within the system would likely be expected to preserve it. In his view, if she assumes power, she would face intense pressure to mirror her father’s governing approach.
The NIS assessment follows her increasingly visible role at major state functions, despite reports that Kim may have an older son. If confirmed, her emergence would represent the most significant development in the Kim family’s rule since Kim himself inherited authority after the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, in 2011.
From secrecy to center stage
Until late 2022, Kim Ju Ae was virtually unknown outside elite circles in Pyongyang. Her first public appearance came during a high-profile intercontinental ballistic missile test, when she was photographed beside her father examining the massive Hwasong-17. North Korean state media referred to her only as his “respected” or “beloved” daughter, withholding her name.
Her identity was widely reported by international media after former NBA star Dennis Rodman recounted a 2013 visit to Pyongyang, telling The Guardian that he had held Kim’s baby daughter named Ju Ae.
Since that first public sighting, she has appeared at military parades, missile launches, banquets with senior officers and key national celebrations. Often positioned prominently alongside top generals, her appearances are widely viewed as deliberate symbolism in a system where imagery carries enormous weight.
Bermudez noted that while her public profile suggests preparation for a leadership role, nothing is guaranteed. Maintaining authority in North Korea would require backing from powerful institutions, including the military command, internal security apparatus and intelligence services.
A potential fourth-generation ruler
On Thursday, the NIS briefed South Korean lawmakers that Kim Ju Ae has taken visible steps toward formal recognition as a future leader. Legislator Lee Seong-kwen told reporters that the agency based its conclusion on her repeated presence at major state commemorations — including the anniversary of the Korean People’s Army and visits to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun — as well as indications she has voiced opinions on certain policy matters.
The update comes ahead of a major political conference in Pyongyang where Kim is expected to outline strategic priorities for the coming years and further consolidate control.
The Kim family has governed North Korea since 1948, beginning with Kim Il Sung, followed by Kim Jong Il and then Kim Jong Un. The regime’s ideology emphasizes military strength, paternal authority and the sanctity of the “Paektu bloodline.”
A teenage girl ascending to the top would break from long-standing tradition. However, analysts emphasize that in North Korea, lineage outweighs gender. As long as a successor belongs to the ruling bloodline, leadership remains conceivable — even within a male-dominated society.
Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, already holds a senior political role and has represented the country in diplomatic engagements, underscoring that women can wield influence within the system.
Continuity over change?
Observers have questioned whether a future led by Kim Ju Ae might differ from her father’s rule. History suggests caution. Kim Jong Un, who was educated in Switzerland and reportedly enjoyed Western culture in his youth, has nonetheless overseen an expansion of North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs while maintaining tight domestic control.
Experts predict that any heir would be groomed to protect the country’s nuclear arsenal, command the armed forces and ensure the survival of the dynasty above all else.
Little is known about Kim’s other children. Reports suggest he may have a son born in 2010 and another child born in 2017, though neither has been publicly acknowledged. The secrecy surrounding the family makes firm conclusions difficult.
Some analysts believe highlighting Kim Ju Ae now could serve broader strategic aims, reinforcing internal stability during a period marked by sanctions, economic strain and closer ties with Russia and China. Others note that formal party positions typically require members to be at least 18, raising questions about timing.
Still, her carefully staged appearances — saluting troops, applauding missile launches and standing beside her father at pivotal moments — suggest a long-term plan may be unfolding. In a political culture where proximity to the supreme leader conveys power, even a young family member can hold significant influence.
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