Is She North Korea’s Next Ruler? Meet Kim Jong-Un's Teen Daughter Whose China Debut Sparks Buzz

Last Updated:September 04, 2025, 12:01 IST

At 10, Ju-ae appeared with Kim Jong-un at a missile launch. At 13, she stole the spotlight in China’s Victory Day parade, joining the VVIP line-up with Xi, Putin and world leaders

State propaganda portrays Kim Ju-ae as wise beyond her years, fostering loyalty among the elite. If she succeeds, she would be North Korea’s first female leader. (AP Photo)

In a world of shadowy dictators and iron-fisted regimes, few stories captivate like the rise of a child prodigy in politics. Kim Ju-ae, the 13-year-old daughter of North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-Un, stole the spotlight at China’s massive Victory Day parade in Beijing on Wednesday.

Dressed sharply in a black suit, her hair tied in a bow, she stepped off an armoured train behind her father, marking her first international outing. As fireworks lit up Tiananmen Square and tanks rumbled by, Ju-ae stood amid leaders like China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, fuelling whispers: Is this pint-sized princess North Korea’s next ruler?

Here’s everything you need to know about the girl poised to shatter glass ceilings in one of the world’s most isolated nations.

From Cradle To Camera: Ju-ae’s Early Years

Born around 2013 to Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol-ju, Ju-ae entered a life shrouded in secrecy. North Korea’s state media has never officially confirmed her birthdate or full details, but glimpses emerged early. In 2013, former NBA star Dennis Rodman, during a bizarre visit to Pyongyang, mentioned holding Kim’s “baby" named Ju-ae, offering the world its first hint of the family’s newest member.

Growing up in the opulent confines of the Kim dynasty’s palaces, Ju-ae’s childhood contrasts sharply with the hardships faced by ordinary North Koreans. She is part of the fourth generation of the Kim family, which has ruled North Korea since 1948 under a cult of personality. Her grandfather, Kim Jong Il, and great-grandfather, Kim Il Sung, are revered as eternal leaders. With siblings rumoured—a brother and possibly another sister—Ju-ae is the only child Kim Jong Un has paraded publicly, a deliberate choice that screams succession planning.

Life for her likely involves elite tutors, state-of-the-art toys, and a bubble of privilege. But in a regime where loyalty is paramount, even children are not spared indoctrination. Ju-ae’s world is one of military drills, propaganda films, and carefully curated outings, all under the watchful eye of her father’s inner circle.

Stepping Into The Spotlight: A Meteoric Rise

Ju-ae’s public debut came in November 2022, at age 9 or 10, when she appeared hand-in-hand with her father at the launch of a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile. State media gushed over the “beloved child", a term reserved for top echelons, instantly sparking successor buzz. Since then, she has become a fixture at high-profile events: Military parades, weapons tests, and even a soccer match, often clad in designer coats or suits that mirror her mother’s style.

In 2023, she attended the 75th anniversary of the Korean People’s Army, waving to cheering crowds from a balcony. Photos show her inspecting troops or gazing at missiles, her expressions a mix of curiosity and poise. Analysts note these are not random; they are strategic, positioning her as a military-savvy heir in a nation obsessed with defence. By 2024, state outlets upgraded her title to “great person of guidance", echoing honours for her father and forebears.

This grooming is unprecedented for a girl in patriarchal North Korea. Women have held symbolic roles—like Kim’s aunt Kim Kyong-hui—but never the throne. Ju-ae’s prominence challenges that, though sceptics wonder if she is a decoy for a hidden son. South Korean intelligence, however, pegs her as the frontrunner, citing her father’s health issues and the regime’s need for continuity.

Beijing Breakthrough: International Debut Amid Autocrats

September 3, 2025, China’s grand Victory Day parade, which commemorated WWII’s end, became Ju-ae’s global coming-out party. Arriving by armoured train—a Kim family tradition—she emerged smiling politely, trailing her father as Chinese officials greeted them. At Tiananmen Square, amid 10,000 troops and advanced weaponry, she joined the VIP line-up with Xi, Putin, and others, her presence a stark symbol of North Korea’s alliances.

This was not just a family trip; it was diplomacy 101. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with leaders of an anti-Western bloc, Ju-ae absorbed the optics of power. Absent from the main parade but captured in photos, her trip underscores her elevated status. At 13, she is already navigating geopolitics, a far cry from typical teen pursuits. The event, her first abroad, cements her as a player on the world stage, hinting at future summits or negotiations under her watch.

Succession Stakes: Girl Power In Pyongyang?

Why Ju-ae? In a dynasty built on male heirs, her rise defies norms. Kim Jong Un, who ascended at 27 after his father’s death, may see in her a way to extend the bloodline amid his own obesity-related health woes. State propaganda portrays her as wise beyond her years, fostering loyalty among the elite. If she succeeds, she would be North Korea’s first female leader, potentially softening its image abroad while maintaining iron control at home.

Challenges loom: Internal rivals, like her uncle Kim Pyong Il or half-aunt Kim Sol-song, could contest. Gender biases in the military-heavy regime might resist. Yet, her father’s absolute power smooths the path—purges of threats ensure loyalty. Succession could happen gradually, with Ju-ae in advisory roles by her late teens.

Globally, a female Kim might intrigue, but expect continuity in nukes and isolation. Her education, likely including foreign languages and strategy, prepares her for that.

What Lies Ahead: Playground Or Power Play?

At 13, Ju-ae’s “playground" is parades and missile sites, raising concerns about her well-being in a high-stakes world. Mental health experts note the pressure could warp her development, surrounded by sycophants rather than peers.

For North Korea, she is a symbol of renewal, potentially stabilising the regime. The world watches warily—will she moderate or escalate tensions? As she grows, more appearances may reveal clues.

In Pyongyang’s secretive halls, Ju-ae represents hope for some, an enigma for others. Whether she claims the throne or fades, she has already rewritten North Korea’s narrative.

Shilpy Bisht

Shilpy Bisht, Deputy News Editor at News18, writes and edits national, world and business stories. She started off as a print journalist, and then transitioned to online, in her 12 years of experience. Her prev...Read More

Shilpy Bisht, Deputy News Editor at News18, writes and edits national, world and business stories. She started off as a print journalist, and then transitioned to online, in her 12 years of experience. Her prev...

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First Published:

September 04, 2025, 12:01 IST

News world Is She North Korea’s Next Ruler? Meet Kim Jong-Un's Teen Daughter Whose China Debut Sparks Buzz