Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has taken a historic step by bringing his young daughter, believed to be Kim Ju Ae, on his highest-profile foreign trip to date, a visit to China that analysts say marks her international debut and signals her rising stature as a possible successor. The trip sees Kim attempting to strengthen ties with Beijing and Moscow at a time of deepening global isolation.

Who is Kim Ju Ae?

Kim Ju Ae is thought to be around 12 or 13 years old, with her name first made public by former NBA player Dennis Rodman, who recounted meeting her during a 2013 visit to Pyongyang. Little is officially disclosed about her, and the only widely available details come from South Korean intelligence, which suggests she is the middle child of Kim Jong Un and wife Ri Sol Ju, with an older brother and a younger sibling whose gender is unconfirmed.

The National Intelligence Service of South Korea shared that the young girl enjoys horse riding, skiing, and swimming, and is homeschooled in the capital, Pyongyang. She is also observed to be taking on some of the roles previously handled by her mother at public events. North Korea continues to insist, through legend and propaganda, that the Kim family descends from sacred blood, reinforcing the premise that only its members have the right to lead.

International debut signals succession grooming

The North Korean leader introduced Ju Ae to the public during a landmark intercontinental ballistic missile test in November 2022. Since then, she has become an increasingly prominent figure, taking part in military parades, arms launches, and high-profile state functions alongside her father. North Korean state media now regularly refers to her as “beloved” and “respected”—terms previously reserved only for elite officials, including her father after his own elevation.

Kim Jong Un has recently expanded her public portfolio to include significant economic and cultural events, such as the inauguration of a beach resort, and she has been featured on state-issued postage stamps.

Observers believe Kim Ju Ae’s presence in Beijing, where her father met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a massive military parade, is the clearest sign yet that he is grooming her for a leadership role. She walked behind Kim as he disembarked from the iconic green armoured train and was pictured at the forefront of North Korea’s official delegation, a role typically reserved for the most senior members or the first lady.

While she did not appear during the public ceremonies involving Xi and Putin, her prominent arrival, smartly dressed in a navy pantsuit and matching her mother’s style, was closely watched.

Tradition, gender – and the future

Though Kim Ju Ae is the only one of Kim’s children to appear publicly, there remains uncertainty about whether she will ultimately inherit North Korea’s male-dominated throne. North Korea has been run solely by men in the Kim dynasty since 1948. Nonetheless, her increasing responsibilities, the deference shown to her by officials, and South Korean intelligence analysis have fueled speculation that she is being positioned as the fourth-generation Kim leader.

No official confirmation

While her profile continues to rise, North Korean state media has neither named her as Kim Jong Un’s heir nor commented publicly on plans for succession. Analysts caution that despite her highly visible debut in China and growing public role, Kim Jong Un is still relatively young, healthy, and in full control, with other children who could one day step into the spotlight. 

(With inputs from AP)