Kim Jong-un’s teenage daughter, Kim Ju-ae, has made her first public appearance at North Korea’s most politically symbolic site, fuelling renewed speculation that she is being prepared as the country’s future leader.
State media reported that Kim Ju-ae accompanied her father and mother, Ri Sol-ju, to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun on 1 January, where the family paid respects to the embalmed bodies of former leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il. Images released by state outlets showed Ju-ae standing prominently between her parents in the mausoleum’s main hall.
Analysts say the visit appears carefully choreographed. Cheong Seong-chang, vice-president of the Sejong Institute think tank, described the appearance as a calculated move ahead of an upcoming Workers’ Party event, where Kim Jong-un could further signal plans for succession.
Over the past three years, Kim Ju-ae has featured with increasing frequency in North Korean state media, often appearing at high-profile military and national events. South Korea’s intelligence agency and outside observers believe these appearances suggest she is being groomed as the fourth-generation ruler of the Kim dynasty.
The Kumsusan mausoleum holds deep symbolic importance, with Kim Jong-un traditionally visiting the site on major anniversaries to honour his father and grandfather. Including his daughter in such a ritual marks a notable departure from past practice.
Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said Pyongyang has been projecting an image of a “stable ruling family” by showcasing Kim with his wife and daughter. However, he urged caution in interpreting Ju-ae’s role.
“It would be extremely difficult to formally designate her as successor at this stage,” Hong said, noting that Ju-ae is believed to be around 13 years old and not yet eligible for party membership. He also pointed out that little is known publicly about Kim Jong-un’s other children.
Kim Ju-ae, thought to have been born in the early 2010s, reportedly attended New Year celebrations this year and made her first known overseas appearance in September, travelling with her father to Beijing. North Korea has never officially confirmed her age or status.
While no formal announcement has been made, Ju-ae’s growing visibility at key political moments continues to intensify debate over the future leadership of the secretive state.
