Kim Jong-un’s daughter may well become North Korea’s first female leader

South Korea's intelligence agency believes North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is preparing his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as his successor. This assessment, shared with legislators on Thursday, marks an increase from the agency's previous view of her as the "most likely successor." Kim Ju Ae has been increasingly visible at important events, including the Armed Forces Day ceremony and a visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, with indications she is voicing opinions on policy. Analysts believe that if she attends or receives a title at the upcoming Workers’ Party congress, speculation about her succession will intensify. The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun holds significant importance as the resting place of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service has informed lawmakers that Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae and around 13 years old, is being considered as a potential future leader of North Korea. The agency is closely monitoring whether she will appear with her father at the upcoming Workers' Party Congress. This marks a shift in the agency's previous description of Kim Ju Ae as undergoing "successor training." In 2023, South Korea indicated that Kim Jong Un and his wife had an older son and younger child of unknown gender. The North Korean leader has been committed to increasing nuclear warheads and improving missile capabilities, posing a unique threat on the global stage. The agency's monitoring is part of efforts to understand North Korea's succession plans.

South Korean lawmakers, citing intelligence briefings, report that Kim Jong-un's daughter, Kim Ju-ae, is increasingly positioned as his successor and is potentially influencing North Korean policy. The National Intelligence Agency (NIS) is closely monitoring her public appearances, particularly at the upcoming Workers' Party meeting in late February, to assess her role and potential title. The NIS now describes her as being in the "stage of being internally appointed successor," a shift from previous descriptions. Kim Ju-ae, believed to be in her early teens, has been prominently featured in state media accompanying her father on inspections, suggesting she is being groomed for leadership and treated as the de facto second-highest leader. The Workers' Party meeting is expected to reveal major policy goals for the coming years.

Kim Jong Un's daughter, Ju Ae, widely speculated to be his potential successor, made her first public visit to the Kumsusan Mausoleum in Pyongyang on January 1, 2026, alongside her parents. State media released images of the family paying respects to Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Ju Ae's increased visibility in state media over the past three years has fueled speculation that she may be positioned as North Korea's next leader. She was first introduced to the public in 2022 and has since participated in public events, including a trip to Beijing in September. Analysts suggest the Kim family's "Paektu bloodline" is used to maintain power in the isolated country.