Get ready for a mind-boggling revelation: Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter, Kim Ju Ae, could be the next leader of North Korea! But here's the twist: it's a highly controversial topic that has sparked intense debates.
During the recent party congress, where North Korean leaders gather every five years, the focus shifted from Kim's usual messages to Seoul and Washington. Instead, the big question on everyone's mind was whether his 13-year-old daughter would be named as his successor.
While no official announcement was made this week, it has sparked a heated discussion about Kim Ju Ae's potential leadership. North Korea, a country of 25 million people, has only ever been ruled by a member of the Kim family, so this potential succession is a big deal.
The Mystery of Kim Ju Ae
Despite her increasing visibility in state media, much about Kim Ju Ae remains shrouded in mystery. North Korea has never officially revealed her name or age, and her existence was first publicized by basketball star Dennis Rodman after his 2013 visit to Pyongyang.
Intelligence reports estimate her age to be around 13, and she first appeared publicly in a state TV report in 2022, holding her father's hand while inspecting North Korea's latest missile. Her TV appearances, where she is positioned centrally and described as "the respected child," are seen as clear signs of her official heir status.
The Power of Proximity
Cheong Seong-chang, a North Korea watcher and vice-president at Sejong Institute, believes that Kim Ju Ae's proximity to the country's military is a significant indicator. She has been seen inspecting troops and weapons alongside her father, and top generals have been observed kneeling beside her to whisper in her ear during military parades.
Kim Jong Un's power lies in his control of the military, and Cheong explains that if Ju Ae were to succeed him, she would need to project an image of a credible military commander. This is why she often mimics her father's style, wearing a long black leather coat and dark sunglasses when inspecting troops.
Avoiding a Rapid Transition
When Kim Jong Un inherited power, it happened suddenly, with little public appearance before his father's passing. Cheong believes that Kim is trying to avoid a similar rapid transition by introducing Ju Ae early to the regime and the public. There is no evidence of Kim Jong Un's ill health, but Cheong suggests that he might be appointing his heir early to prevent a succession crisis.
However, former North Korean official Ryu Hyun-woo disagrees, arguing that a woman ruling over the country is highly unlikely due to North Korea's patriarchal system and legal code, which requires a leader to be of the Paektu bloodline, a direct descendant of Kim Il Sung.
The Status of Women in North Korea
Ryu highlights the challenges women face at every level in North Korea, where female officials and military commanders are rare. He shares a superstition prevalent among taxi drivers in Pyongyang, who refuse to take women as their first customers for the day, believing it brings misfortune.
Despite these obstacles, others, including South Korean intelligence, believe that Kim Ju Ae's gender will not be a barrier if her father chooses her as his successor. Song Hyun-jin, who interviewed North Korean defectors, notes that the status of women in North Korea has improved significantly since the Arduous March famine in the 1990s. Women took on crucial roles to feed their families, opening businesses and engaging in black market activities.
Song argues that Kim Ju Ae's family background and regal upbringing would be enough for everyday North Koreans to accept her as their leader.
The Role of Kim Yo Jong
This week, the party promoted Kim Jong Un's powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, to the role of propaganda minister. Cheong interprets this as a sign that Kim Jong Un is appointing his sister as a guardian to his daughter, further strengthening the potential for a hereditary succession.
When Kim Jong Un took power at 27, becoming the world's youngest leader, many hoped he would open North Korea to the outside world. However, those dreams were short-lived as he executed his reformist uncle in 2013, and his nuclear weapons program has only grown stronger since.
Cheong dismisses the idea that Kim Ju Ae might be more open or lenient, attributing such notions to stereotypes about women. Ryu, with connections to Kim Jong Un's inner circle, suggests that the debate around Kim's heir may be a goal in itself, as Kim loves the attention and media coverage it generates.
So, what do you think? Is Kim Ju Ae the future leader of North Korea? Will she continue her father's legacy, or could she bring about change? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
