Is Kim Ju Ae The Chosen Successor In North Korean Politics?

Kim Ju Ae, the young daughter of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, who, in recent times, has captured the attention of the international community. As she made her first public appearance in November 2022 during a long-range missile test launch, speculations about her role in North Korea's future leadership have been on the rise. In fact, North Korea is reportedly pressuring women and girls whose names coincide with those of Kim Jong Un's daughter to change them, according to Fox News.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) of South Korea has, for the first time, indicated that Kim Ju Ae, believed to be around 10 years old, could be the likely heir to her father's throne.

This revelation is based on a meticulous analysis of her public activities and the state protocols extended to her. The North Korean state media affectionately refers to her as Kim Jong Un's "most beloved" or "respected" child, signalling a potential dynastic succession.

Political Standing and Public Appearances

Kim Ju Ae's increasing political standing becomes evident through her prominent role in accompanying her father at public events. Notably, she has been present on occasions involving weapons and missile tests, indicating a strategic move to portray the Kim family as stalwarts in defence and national security. North Korea analyst Jean H Lee points out that these events serve as a tableau of the Kim family, reinforcing a sense of continuity and stability.

Succession Probability

The question that looms large is whether Kim Ju Ae is poised to succeed her father as the leader of North Korea. Analysts suggest that Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, considering his health concerns, may view his daughter as a capable successor. Cheong Seong-Chang from the Sejong Institute in South Korea notes that Kim Jong Un's obesity raises concerns about his health, making the idea of succession by Kim Ju Ae plausible. Her participation in major events alongside her father is seen as an early cultivation of leadership qualities.

Beyond the familial dynamics, Kim Ju Ae's appearances are seen as a strategic move to cultivate an image akin to royal families in other nations. Jean H Lee emphasizes the portrayal of the Kim family as a monarchy and dynasty, drawing parallels with the British Royal Family. This strategic narrative aims to solidify the Kim regime's image domestically and internationally.

North Korea Bans Girls From Having Same Name

"Women registered with the resident registration department under the name 'Ju Ae' were summoned yesterday by the Ministry of Security in Jeongju City to the Ministry of Safety to change their names," the report stated, adding that the names had to be changed "within a week."

The report, which cites Radio Free Asia, cites two North Korean anonymous sources, one of whom lives in South Pyongyang and the other in North Pyongyang, who claim that the local governments have issued orders for women named Ju-ae to change their birth certificates.

North Korea has historically prohibited people from using the same names as its leaders and their immediate families, according to the South China Morning Post. The regime's efforts to respect its leaders include the practice of requiring people to change their names.

Even Kim Jong Un forbade people in 2014 from using his name. People were forbidden from using Kim Il-sung's name while he was in power, according to Kim Jong-un.

The emergence of Kim Ju Ae on the North Korean political stage raises intriguing questions about the future leadership of the secretive nation. As she continues to make public appearances alongside her father, the international community watches closely, speculating on the potential succession that could shape the geopolitical landscape of the Korean Peninsula. The dynamics surrounding Kim Ju Ae's role in North Korea's leadership transition are not only fascinating but also hold significant implications for regional and global affairs.