Seoul: South Korea’s top spy agency reported on Thursday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has formally entered the stage of designating his teenage daughter as his successor, marking a definitive shift in the regime’s efforts to cement a fourth generation of dynastic rule.

In a closed-door briefing to lawmakers on February 12, 2026, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) updated its assessment of Kim Ju Ae, believed to be roughly 13 years old. While intelligence officials previously described the girl as being in "successor training," they told the National Assembly she has now transitioned to the "successor-designate stage."

Markers of Succession

The NIS cited several unprecedented developments over the last several months as evidence of the teenager’s elevated status:

  • Policy Input: Intelligence suggests Ju Ae has begun voicing opinions on state policies and actively participating in "on-site inspections," where she reportedly listens to local grievances and offers solutions.
  • Protocol Rank: Her ceremonial standing has been elevated to second, behind only her father, placing her above other high-ranking regime veterans.
  • Symbolic Tribute: In early January, she made her first official visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the sacred mausoleum housing the remains of her grandfather and great-grandfather. In state photos, she was positioned at the centre of the procession, a space typically reserved for the leader.

The 9th Party Congress

The briefing comes as North Korea prepares for its 9th Workers’ Party Congress, expected to open in late February 2026. The NIS is closely monitoring whether Ju Ae will be granted an official title during the event, such as First Secretary of the party, which would de facto institutionalise her role as the country’s number-two leader.

TimelineNIS AssessmentNotable Activity
Nov 2022Public DebutAttended ICBM test launch
2024 – 2025Successor-in-TrainingAccompanying father to military drills
Feb 2026Successor-DesignatePolicy input; Kumsusan Palace visit

Strategic Restraint and Nuclear Ambition

The spy agency also noted that North Korea has recently refrained from intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests to avoid provoking the United States, suggesting the regime is "leaving room for manoeuvre" in potential future diplomacy. However, Kim Jong Un continues to prioritise defence, with the NIS reporting that the North is currently building a large nuclear-powered submarine capable of carrying up to 10 missiles.

"In the past, the NIS was cautious, but the language used today is quite significant," said Rep. Lee Seong-kweun, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee. "The shift from 'training' to 'designated successor' indicates that the framework for her rise is being actively strengthened."