Kim Jong Un Reportedly Designates Daughter Kim Ju Ae as Successor

Pyongyang – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly taken steps toward designating his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as his potential successor, signaling a possible continuation of the Kim dynasty into a fourth generation. The assessment comes from South Korea’s intelligence agency, which briefed lawmakers on the matter.

Growing Visibility of Kim Ju Ae

According to Lee Seong-kweun, a member of the South Korean parliament who received a briefing from the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the agency believes Kim Ju Ae is now “internally designated as successor.” This assessment follows an increasing number of public appearances by Ju Ae at significant state events. The NIS also indicated signs that Ju Ae is beginning to be involved in discussions regarding government policy .

The Kim Family Dynasty and ‘Paektu Bloodline’

The Kim family has maintained a firm grip on power in North Korea for decades, bolstered by a powerful ideology centered around the “Paektu bloodline.” In recent years, Kim Ju Ae has been increasingly visible alongside her father at strategic events, including military activities and state occasions. A significant moment occurred in January 2026, when Ju Ae accompanied Kim Jong Un on a visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the mausoleum of her grandfather and great-grandfather, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il .

Who is Kim Ju Ae?

Kim Ju Ae is believed to be 13 years old and the daughter of Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju. She first came to public attention through an unexpected source: former American basketball player Dennis Rodman, who claimed to have held her as a baby during a 2013 trip to North Korea . The NIS reported in 2023 that Ju Ae has not been enrolled in a formal educational institution and is believed to be home-schooled in Pyongyang. Her hobbies are reported to include horse riding, swimming, and skiing.

The NIS reports that Kim Ju Ae has an older brother and a younger sibling, though the gender of the younger sibling remains unconfirmed. Neither sibling has been publicly seen.

Increasing Prominence in State Media

Kim Ju Ae first appeared on North Korean state television in November 2022, accompanying her father during an inspection of a new intercontinental ballistic missile. Since then, her presence in state media has steadily increased, transforming her from a relatively unknown figure into a recognizable face at key national events. North Korean state media now frequently describes her as “beloved,” “revered,” or a “great guiding figure.”

Her appearances are also seen as an attempt to soften Kim Jong Un’s image. She accompanied him to Beijing for a military parade in China, arriving by armored train. Ju Ae often appears wearing designer clothes and with a hairstyle considered long for someone her age, both of which contrast sharply with the living conditions of most North Koreans.

A November 2023 state media photograph placed Ju Ae in the foreground, with Kim Jong Un in the background – a rare occurrence analysts believe required his approval. During the 2024 New Year’s Eve celebration, Kim Jong Un and Ju Ae were photographed kissing on the cheek in front of a large crowd in Pyongyang. More recently, Ju Ae has appeared taller than her father and has been seen walking beside him, rather than following, in images published by state media, which is considered significant given the symbolic weight attached to such depictions.

This year, Kim Ju Ae also joined her father in receiving foreign dignitaries, and her image has been prominently featured above senior government officials in state media coverage of important events.