South Korea Spy Agency Says Kim Jong Un Close to Naming Daughter Heir
NIS told lawmakers Kim Ju Ae, believed born in 2013, has entered a "successor-designate" stage ahead of a late-February party congress.
Overview
South Korea's National Intelligence Service told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing that Kim Ju Ae, believed born in 2013, has entered a "successor-designate" stage and is close to being designated as North Korea's future leader, lawmaker Lee Seong Kweun said.
The NIS assessment comes ahead of the Workers' Party Congress scheduled for late February, where Kim Jong Un is expected to outline five-year policy goals and could formalize succession, according to analysts cited by the agency.
NIS officials noted Kim Ju Ae's growing visibility at a long-range missile test in Nov. 2022, her presence at weapons tests and parades, and her New Year's Day 2025 visit to Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, officials said.
South Korea's spy agency told lawmakers that North Korea has been ruled by male Kim-family leaders since 1948, and analysts remain divided on whether formal party roles like first secretary could be granted given the party's age requirement of 18, experts said.
If Kim Jong Un uses the late-February congress to cement succession, analysts said the move could be subtle, such as party self-praise framing a "successful inheritance," and NIS officials said they would closely monitor Ju Ae's appearances before thousands of delegates.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a high-stakes succession narrative: they foreground South Korea’s spy assessment and expert readings of symbolic events, use evaluative descriptors like 'family dynasty' and 'authoritarian grip,' and prioritize intelligence and analyst voices. Quoted labels (e.g., 'successor-designate stage') are included as source content but are editorially emphasized.
Sources (8)
FAQ
Kim Ju Ae is Kim Jong Un's daughter, believed to have been born around 2013, making her approximately 13 years old.
Evidence includes her growing public visibility at missile tests since November 2022, presence at weapons tests, parades, New Year's 2025 visit to Kumsusan Palace, and reports of her influencing policy discussions.
The congress is expected to outline five-year policy goals, including foreign policy and nuclear ambitions, and may formalize Kim Ju Ae's succession through her attendance, protocol level, or subtle announcements.
No, North Korea has been ruled exclusively by male Kim family leaders since 1948, making Kim Ju Ae's potential succession a significant departure from tradition.
South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) briefed lawmakers in a closed-door session, as reported by lawmaker Lee Seong Kweun.
History
5 sources