Who is Kim Ju Ae? Kim Jong Un’s teenage daughter may be North Korea’s next leader, says South Korea’s spy agency

Kim Ju Ae set to follow father Kim Jong Un as North Korea’s next leader, says Seoul spy agency

• Kim Jong Un grooming daughter Kim Ju Ae as heir: South Korea
• Kim Ju Ae's public appearances signal succession planning
• Her role may be spotlighted at the Workers’ Party Congress

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South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) has informed lawmakers that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is likely preparing his teenage daughter, widely believed to be Kim Ju Ae, as his successor. The development signals a potential extension of the Kim family dynasty into a fourth generation.

“In the past, NIS described Kim Ju Ae as being in the midst of ‘successor training.’ What was notable today is that they used the term ‘successor-designate stage,’ a shift that's quite significant,” lawmaker Lee Seong Kweun said after a closed-door briefing.

NIS officials are reportedly monitoring whether she will appear alongside her father at the upcoming Workers’ Party Congress, North Korea’s largest political event, expected to outline key policy goals for the next five years.

Who is Kim Ju Ae?

Kim Ju Ae, believed to be around 13 years old, first entered the public eye in November 2022 during a long-range missile test, holding her father’s hand in a highly symbolic appearance. Since then, she has accompanied Kim Jong Un to military parades, weapons tests, factory visits, and high-profile diplomatic events, including his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in September 2025.

Her growing visibility is seen as a strong indicator of succession planning. In a notable public appearance last month, she joined her parents at Pyongyang’s Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the mausoleum housing her grandfather Kim Jong Il and great-grandfather Kim Il Sung. Analysts interpreted this visit as a symbolic presentation of her as heir.

Despite her public presence, North Korean state media has never officially named her, referring only to Kim’s “respected” or “most beloved” child. Reports suggest she has an older brother and a younger third sibling, though details remain unclear. Her existence was first noted internationally in 2013 when former NBA star Dennis Rodman revealed meeting baby Ju Ae during a visit to Pyongyang.

A break from tradition?

Historically, North Korea has been led by male members of the Kim family since the country’s founding in 1948. Kim Jong Un himself was named heir at age 26, following his father’s stroke, and assumed power after Kim Jong Il’s death in 2011. Analysts suggest that grooming his daughter early mirrors his own experience of being thrust into leadership.

What to expect at the Workers’ Party Congress

The upcoming party congress, last held in 2016 and 2021, could formalize Ju Ae’s role within the leadership. Analysts note that any formal assignment may be subtle, as party rules require members to be at least 18 to hold senior positions. “The party may issue statements about how North Korea has successfully maintained leadership succession. If comments like that appear, it would be reasonable to think Ju Ae has been cemented as heir,” said an intelligence analyst cited by media.

Life behind the scenes

South Korean intelligence believes Ju Ae is being raised in Pyongyang and educated at home. She reportedly enjoys horse riding, skiing, and swimming, highlighting a privileged upbringing within the regime’s inner circle. Her repeated appearances at high-level military and state events underscore her symbolic and potential political significance.

Global attention

The teenage heir’s positioning has drawn international scrutiny, highlighting the regime’s efforts to maintain dynastic continuity. Her emergence as a successor challenges historical norms in North Korea’s male-dominated leadership structure and signals a carefully orchestrated approach to succession planning.