North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reportedly designated his teenage daughter, Kim Ju-ae, as his successor, South Korean lawmakers said Thursday, citing information from the National Intelligence Service (NIS). Lawmakers Lee Seong-kweun and Park Sun-won told reporters that Ju-ae’s recent public appearances and growing involvement in political events indicate she is now being treated as the regime’s de facto second-in-command.
Previously, South Korean intelligence had described Ju-ae as a potential future leader, but officials said she is now in the stage of being “internally designated” as the successor. Her exact age is unclear, though NIS sources estimate her to be around 13. The agency will monitor whether Ju-ae attends the upcoming meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party, noting that her role and presentation at the event could clarify her official status.
Ju-ae has appeared more frequently in state media alongside her father, including during inspections of weapons projects, fueling speculation that she is being groomed to continue the Kim family’s dynastic rule. Analysts view her rising visibility as a strategic move to cement the fourth generation of leadership in Pyongyang.
The Workers’ Party is set to hold the inaugural meeting of its ninth Congress at the end of February, an event expected to outline major policies on the economy, foreign affairs, and defense for the coming years. South Korean lawmakers also reported that Kim Jong-un is overseeing the development of a large submarine capable of carrying up to 10 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, potentially powered by a nuclear reactor given its 8,700-ton displacement.
Kim Ju-ae’s designation as successor represents a rare and historic instance of a female heir in North Korea, raising questions about the future direction of the regime and its military ambitions. Observers around the world will closely watch both her public role and the broader strategic decisions emerging from the upcoming Party Congress.
