Kim Jong Un Visits Kumsusan Palace With Family, Sparking Succession Speculation

North Korea's Kim Jong Un visited the Kumsusan Palace with Ri Sol-ju and daughter Ju-ae on New Year's, sparking speculation Ju-ae may become his successor.

Overview

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1.

Kim Jong Un appeared at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang on January 1, accompanied by Ri Sol-ju and Ju-ae, marking a rare public family event.

2.

Analysts and South Korea's intelligence agency say Ju-ae's repeated state media appearances have fueled speculation that she may be groomed for a leadership role.

3.

North Korea has not officially confirmed Ju-ae's age, with assessments placing her around 12 or 13 years old, which influences discussions about hereditary succession.

4.

The January 1 visit occurs amid heightened scrutiny of Pyongyang's leadership transition, though authorities have not disclosed plans or timelines for any succession process.

5.

Observers caution that state media coverage can shape international perceptions, and emphasize evaluating official statements alongside independent reporting to understand any potential leadership succession implications.

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The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun is a mausoleum in Pyongyang where North Korea's former leaders, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, are enshrined. Kim Jong Un visits it on key dates to honor his grandfather and father, reinforcing the country's dynastic heritage.

North Korea has not officially confirmed Kim Ju Ae's age, but she is believed to be around 12 or 13 years old, born circa 2012 or 2013.[1]

Ju Ae's first public visit to the Kumsusan Palace with her parents, combined with her increasingly prominent state media appearances over the past three years, has led analysts and South Korea's intelligence agency to speculate she may be groomed as Kim Jong Un's successor.

Ju Ae first appeared publicly in 2022 at a missile launch, has made frequent state media appearances since, and accompanied her father to Beijing in September 2025 on her first overseas trip.

No, North Korea has not disclosed any plans or timelines for leadership succession, and observers caution that state media coverage shapes perceptions without official confirmation.

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