1 hour ago
South Korean intelligence indicates that Kim Jong Un may be grooming his teenage daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as his successor after her recent high-profile appearances and policy involvement, a development closely watched given North Korea's secrecy and isolation.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, his wife Ri Sol Ju and their daughter Kim Ju Ae visit the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun to mark the New Year, in Pyongyang. (Reuters)
UPDATED: Feb 16, 2026 08:40 IST
A fresh wave of speculation surrounds North Korea's leadership succession as recent actions by Kim Jong Un suggest his teenage daughter, Kim Ju Ae, could be positioned as the next leader. South Korea's spy agency and lawmakers have cited a notable increase in her public profile, fueling ongoing debate among regional analysts about the future of the Kim dynasty.
Kim Ju Ae, believed to be in her early teens, has appeared at several major events alongside her father. While her exact age remains unconfirmed, she is the only one of Kim Jong Un's children to be publicly acknowledged, with North Korean state media frequently referring to her as the "beloved daughter" and "dear daughter."
The succession theory gained momentum following a closed-door briefing by South Korea's Intelligence Service (NIS). Lawmakers reported that the agency believes Kim Jong Un has "entered the stage of nominating her as successor." This assessment has not been officially confirmed by North Korea.
In the same briefing, the NIS informed lawmakers that Ju Ae's role now extends beyond ceremonial appearances. According to lawmakers, she has "expressed opinions on some measures" in policy, which is perceived as an unusual development given the secretive nature of the regime.
Despite these signs, much about the Kim family remains shrouded in secrecy. Little information escapes North Korea, recognized as one of the world's most closed-off and repressive countries.
The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened North Korea's isolation. Borders remain tightly sealed, and most foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations have left the country, further limiting external insight.
Intelligence agencies in the region continue to monitor developments within North Korea closely, particularly those that may signal changes in leadership. The Kim family has maintained control over the country for generations, making succession issues a matter of significant regional interest.
A major political assembly, the country's first in five years, is expected later in February. Such gatherings often signal shifts in policy and leadership structure, and South Korean lawmakers stated that the NIS will closely observe whether Ju Ae attends, her treatment at the event, and any formal titles she may receive.
Western analysts believe Kim Jong Un has three children, with Ju Ae identified as the middle child. This information, however, cannot be independently verified due to the regime's opacity.
The international community first became aware of Kim Ju Ae in 2013 when American basketball player Dennis Rodman visited Pyongyang. Rodman later told The Guardian, "I held their baby Ju Ae and spoke with (Kim’s wife) as well."
Ju Ae remained largely out of view until 2022, when she appeared publicly beside Kim Jong Un during the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Images from the event showed Kim holding the hand of a young girl, widely believed to be Ju Ae, in front of the missile.
Following her initial appearance, Kim Ju Ae featured in several subsequent high-profile events, including military parades in Pyongyang, where she observed displays of ICBMs with her father.
Her first international appearance came last September, when she accompanied Kim Jong Un to Beijing for a military parade hosted by Chinese leader Xi Jinping. During the event, Kim, Xi, and Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared together, highlighting their alliance. Ju Ae, however, remained out of public sight during the proceedings.
She remains the only child of Kim Jong Un to be seen in public, with state media consistently highlighting her role. If Kim has other children, they have not been presented to the North Korean public.
Not all experts accept that Ju Ae is the designated successor. Some analysts regard her public appearances and the attention paid by state media as efforts to shape international perceptions rather than a genuine transition of power.
The process by which successors are chosen within the Kim family remains unclear, and analysts note that this secrecy could be intentional. It allows potential heirs, including Ju Ae's siblings, to remain out of the public eye, possibly to receive further education or training with less scrutiny.
- Ends
Published By:
Sayan Ganguly
Published On:
Feb 16, 2026
Tune In
