North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has chosen his teenage daughter Kim Ju Ae as his successor, South Korea’s spy agency said.
At just 13 years old, Kim Joo Ae is rising to prominence in state affairs, signaling a historic fourth generation of leadership in the Kim dynasty. (via REUTERS)Kim Joo Ae, who is believed to be 13 years old, was recently photographed alongside her father at a high-profile event. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service assessed that Kim Jong Un chose Kim Joo A as his successor after considering a “range of circumstances,” news agency AP reported.
The assessment by South Korea’s National Intelligence Service comes as North Korea prepares to hold its biggest political summit later this month, where Kim is expected to outline his policies for the next five years.
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Here’s what you need to know about North Korea’s potential successor:
13 years of age and increasingly visible: Kim Joo A is believed to be around 13 years old and has gained an increasingly prominent public presence at official events in recent months, often appearing alongside her father at high-profile events, HT previously reported.Voices on State Policy: Lee Seong-kuen, a South Korean lawmaker, said the NIS had detected signs that Kim Joo-ah had begun to express opinions on some state policies, suggesting he had entered the “successor designation” stage, according to a BBC report.Also Read | His successor Kim Jong Un’s daughter? Visiting the tomb has sparked speculation
Symbolic presence at key events: Kim Joo has attended major events, including the founding anniversary of the Korean People’s Army and a New Year’s Day visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, moves analysts see as heavy with symbolism, according to the AP report.A break or continuation of the Kim dynasty tradition: North Korea has been ruled by three generations of the Kim family, and analysts believe Kim Jong Un is preparing for a fourth generation handover by promoting his daughter early.Also Read | North Korea says the latest missile test involved a hypersonic weapon system
First appearance in 2022: Kim Ju Ae made a public appearance in 2022 during an intercontinental ballistic missile inspection and has since accompanied her father to missile launches, military parades and factory visits. She traveled with him to Beijing in September, his first known trip abroad.Speculation about his future has intensified ahead of the upcoming Workers’ Party congress, where observers say subtle signals, rather than formal announcements, could further cement his status as a successor, the AP report added.
(with input from AP)
