Who Is Kim Ju-Ae, Kim Jong-Un's Teen Daughter Preparing To Take Over North Korea?

Last Updated:August 13, 2025, 16:59 IST

North Korea's tightly controlled press has never spoken her name, referring to her only as the leader’s "most beloved" or "respected" daughter

Kim Ju Ae has appeared frequently in state media since 2022. (AP Photo)

North Korea’s closely guarded leadership succession plan may already be taking shape, with mounting indications that ruler Kim Jong-un is preparing his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, to one day assume control of the isolated, nuclear-armed state. The New York Times reported, citing multiple analysts, that Kim appears to be positioning Ju Ae as his heir. The assessment is echoed by Cho Tae-yong, newly appointed head of South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), though both stress that no formal decision has been announced.

Ju Ae’s exact age remains unconfirmed, but South Korean intelligence believes she is around 12 years old. Since her public debut in November 2022, when Kim, in a carefully staged display, held her hand before an intercontinental ballistic missile, she has become a familiar figure in state media, often appearing alongside her father in both military and ceremonial settings.

North Korea’s tightly controlled press has never spoken her name, referring to her only as the leader’s “most beloved" or “respected" daughter. Her voice has never been heard in public, and she holds no known official title. Nonetheless, intelligence agencies and regional experts widely regard her as the leading contender for the country’s fourth-generation leadership under the Kim dynasty.

Observers note a transformation in Ju Ae’s public persona, from a reserved child to a composed figure comfortable sharing the stage with top generals and dignitaries. Military symbolism has been especially prominent; she has posed beside missiles, stood next to her father during inspections, and been present in high-profile photographs with senior officers. In a striking moment during a 2023 military parade, a top general was seen kneeling before her, an act of deference previously reserved only for Kim himself.

Her increasing visibility recalls the early moves Kim Jong-un made to consolidate his own authority after succeeding his father, Kim Jong Il, in 2011. For a country with rigid patriarchal traditions, the prospect of Ju Ae becoming the first female leader of North Korea would mark an unprecedented shift, though analysts caution such a transition would likely be engineered to preserve the dynasty’s grip on power.

South Korean intelligence believes Kim has at least two children, possibly three, but Ju Ae is the only one to have appeared publicly. Her emergence as a potential successor may also be influenced by concerns over Kim’s health.

At 41, he is reported to suffer from family-linked heart problems, stands about 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weighs around 130 kilograms. Officials say his lifestyle, marked by chain smoking, heavy drinking, overeating, and late-night internet sessions focused on weapons research, could exacerbate health risks.

The Kim dynasty’s rule dates back to Kim Il Sung, who founded North Korea after World War II. His son, Kim Jong Il, maintained power until his death in 2011, passing the reins to Kim Jong-un.

Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location :

North Korea

First Published:

August 13, 2025, 16:59 IST

News world Who Is Kim Ju-Ae, Kim Jong-Un's Teen Daughter Preparing To Take Over North Korea?

Read More