Almost declared heir: Kim Jong-un’s daughter given the title of “Supreme Leader”

North Korean state media has called young Kim Ju-ae, Kim Jong-un’s daughter, the “supreme leader.” This term is generally reserved only for North Korea’s top leaders and their successors. South Korea’s Unification Ministry said this morning that the possibility of him coming to power has not been ruled out. Kim Joo Ae appeared in public again with her father and watched the parachute training. The Telegraph writes about it.

Analysts said it was the first time North Korea had described Kim’s daughter as the “supreme leader”. This fueled speculation that Zhu Ae, who often appears alongside her father at major public events, could be chosen as North Korea’s next leader.

In a photo released by Pyongyang authorities over the weekend, Zhu Ae used binoculars to observe a recent parachute training exercise while standing next to her father and senior military officials.

Joo-ae, the daughter of Kim Jong-un and First Lady Lee Sol-ju, had been hidden from foreign media since childhood until former American basketball player Dennis Rodman revealed that he saw Eun’s daughter during his visit to North Korea in 2013.

But little is known about Zhu Ae, who is believed to be the middle child of the North Korean dictator’s three children. It only began to appear in public in 2022. It was first seen during a rocket launch in November two years ago.

Zhu E, thought to be between 10 and 12 years old, has been appearing more and more frequently with his father lately. They reviewed exercises of the Korean People’s Army, attended the opening of a greenhouse, celebrated the anniversary of the founding of the army in the capital of North Korea, and posed for photos at a military equipment factory in January 2024.

South Korean experts say Kim Jong-un’s daughter, Kim Ju-ae, will most likely be chosen as the heir to the North Korean dictatorship.

Previously, this role was envisioned for Kim’s older sister, “Princess Yo-Yong”, whose name is Kim Yo-jong.

“Red Princess”, also known as Kim Yo-jong, is the deputy director of the Publicity and Information Department of the Workers’ Party of Korea and remains a candidate for the top position. However, since 2022, the possibility of him appearing in public has decreased. And now the rave reviews about Zhu E in the North Korean press suggest that his father chose his daughter over his sister as his successor.

“Normally, the term ‘hyangdo’ (major leading actor) is used only to refer to the highest-ranking official. We do not rule out the possibility of Zhu Ae’s succession,” said Seoul Unification Ministry spokesman Koo Byung-sam. He added in a briefing on Monday that Seoul was “monitoring the situation and remains open to opportunities.”

What is known about Kim Jong-un’s family

Seoul had previously reported that Kim and his wife Ri welcomed their first child, a boy, in 2010, and Joo Ae was their second child.

But last year South Korea’s unification minister said the government “could not conclusively confirm” the existence of Kim’s son. It is likely that Kim Jong-un also has a third child, born in 2017. This is his daughter. However, other than Zhu E, no children were seen in public.

Little is known about Zhu E himself. He’s probably 12 years old. She is homeschooled and enjoys horseback riding, swimming and skiing.

Let’s remember this before Focus He wrote about Kim Jong-un’s older sister. When news broke that the North Korean leader would probably die four years ago. The person named as her successor was “Princess Yo-Yong”.