The recent appearance of Kim Jong-un’s daughter, Kim Ju-ae, in Beijing has sparked widespread speculation about her potential role as North Korea's first female ruler. This significant moment coincided with Xi Jinping’s “victory day” parade, marking her debut on the international stage. Photographs released by North Korean state media captured the young Ju-ae, believed to be in her early teens, stepping off her father's heavily armored train, where she was warmly welcomed by Chinese officials.
Though the North Korean regime has never publicly confirmed Kim Ju-ae’s name or age, she is already familiar with the public eye. She has accompanied her father on several official duties across North Korea, including witnessing ballistic missile tests and attending the grand opening of Wonsan Kalma, a luxurious resort on the country's east coast. Analysts suggest that if she is indeed her father’s preferred successor, she would be the fourth member of the Kim dynasty to lead North Korea since its establishment by her great-grandfather, Kim Il-sung, in 1948.
Kim Ju-ae first garnered international attention when former NBA star Dennis Rodman, a close associate of Kim Jong-un, mentioned her during a visit to Pyongyang in 2013, claiming he held the infant Ju-ae in his arms. Despite her limited public speaking, she has become a consistent presence alongside her father, sharing the spotlight with his influential sister, Kim Yo-jong. North Korea's state media had previously maintained a strict silence regarding Kim's children until Ju-ae's first appearance at a missile launch in 2022, after which she was referred to as Kim's “respected” daughter.
In her latest public appearance in Beijing, Kim Ju-ae was seen smiling and dressed in a navy blue suit, positioned behind her father as they stepped off their train following an overnight journey from Pyongyang. This trip marked their first overseas venture together. Analysts noted that her attendance at an event indicating the formation of a new anti-western alliance further supported the notion that she is being groomed as Kim Jong-un’s heir apparent. Michael Madden, a North Korea leadership expert at the Stimson Center, stated, “Right now, Ju-ae is the frontrunner as next supreme leader of North Korea. She is gaining practical protocol experience which will be invaluable as North Korea’s future leader.”
While there is no historical precedent for Kim Jong-un accompanying his father, Kim Jong-il, on international trips—largely due to his father's reported aversion to flying—Kim Jong-un appears to be more comfortable with foreign travel. In 2024, South Korea’s intelligence agency indicated that Ju-ae is being prepared for leadership, although the specifics of this transition remain uncertain. Typically, future leaders in North Korea ascend through a series of senior positions to prepare for the role of head of state. It remains to be seen how the ruling party and military elites would respond to the elevation of a woman to the supreme leader position.
Despite Kim Jong-un’s past health concerns, including struggles with weight and a reported bout of gout in 2014, he has maintained good health in recent years. Ju-ae's role has notably expanded, as she has made appearances not only at military events but also at political and economic gatherings. Rachel Minyoung Lee, a researcher at the Stimson Center, remarked, “The scope of her public appearances certainly has expanded from military-related sites to political and economic events over the years. If this is part of a succession campaign, it would certainly help with that effort as it would be seen as Kim Ju-ae’s debut on the international stage.”
As the world observes these developments, the question of North Korea’s future leadership continues to intrigue analysts and policymakers alike, with Kim Ju-ae emerging as a significant figure in the nation’s political landscape.
