S Korean spy agency sees Kim Jong Un’s daughter as ‘probable successor’

Kim Ju Ae, born in 2013, gained attention in Nov 2022,

following her first public appearance with her father.

By Lee Jeong-Ho for RFA
2024.01.03
Seoul, South Korea

Kim Ju Ae, daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, attends a military parade to mark the 75th founding anniversary of North Korea’s army, at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea Feb. 8, 2023.

The nominee to be the next head of South Korea’s spy agency said Thursday that he sees North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Ju Ae, as his “probable successor,” marking the first time the agency has officially indicated her possible succession of power.

Radio Free Asia reported in November last year that the daughter received a new official title “Morning Star of Korea” – an apparent and deliberate parallel to the country’s founding leader Kim Il Sung.

Historically, Kim Il Sung was referred to by the title during his time as a guerrilla leader fighting against Japan’s colonial rule over the Korean peninsula.

In a written response submitted to the South’s National Assembly ahead of his hearing, the National Intelligence Agency chief nominee, Cho Tae-yong, said: “A thorough analysis of Kim Ju Ae’s public engagements and the level of respect shown to her by North Korea since she came into the public eye, suggests that she is currently a probable successor.”

The daughter, born in 2013, has started making public appearances since November 2022, accompanying Kim Jong Un in North Korea’s various high-profile occasions including his visiting of missile launching sites. 

The emergence of Ju Ae in these public settings was unprecedented, leading to speculation about her potential future role in the North Korean leadership.

The latest assessment reflects South Korea’s changing stance on Ju Ae. Previously in September, the agency stated it was too early to see her as a successor due to North Korea’s male-centric leadership succession culture.

Cho, however, indicated on Thursday that the succession of power to Ju Ae is not yet definitive. 

“Since Kim Jong Un is still young and does not have significant health issues, and considering there are various uncertainties, we are monitoring all possibilities,” Cho said. 

The ex-chief of South Korea’s National Security Office also added that North Korea’s leader has other children besides his daughter, with unknown genders, highlighting the uncertain nature of North Korea’s leadership succession.

In March 2023, South Korea’s then Unification Minister Kwon Young-se said Kim Jong Un had “either two or three children.”

Edited by Taejun Kang and Elaine Chan.