Kim Jong Un grooming daughter Kim Ju Ae as his successor, report says
South Korean lawmakers, citing the National Intelligence Service, have reported that Kim Jong Un is preparing his daughter to be his successor. Kim Ju Ae is increasingly seen at her father's side.
3:03 PM EDT, July 29, 2024
Kim Jong Un's daughter, Kim Ju Ae, whose age has not been officially confirmed, has often appeared with her father at various events. This has fueled speculation that Kim has chosen her as his successor. Kim Ju Ae would lead the fourth generation of her family's hereditary rule.
South Korean lawmaker Lee Kwon confirmed these speculations, citing the National Intelligence Service. "Pyongyang is teaching Kim Ju Ae to be heir apparent, indicating she's the most likely successor," Lee told reporters after a briefing.
Succession plan ready?
The Korean intelligence also informed parliamentarians that Kim Jong Un is currently "considerably overweight" at "around 310 pounds," which puts him at "high risk for heart disease." "Kim, who is widely known as a smoker, has reportedly shown symptoms of hypertension and diabetes in his early 30s," Lee said, citing the NIS.
North Korea is also adjusting the level of exposure Kim's daughter has to the public. This way, they monitor the citizens' reactions to her role as a potential successor. "More than half of her visits with her father were related to military activities, such as overseeing drills," the agency reported. Most often, Kim Ju Ae accompanied her father during military activities.
In March, state media called Kim Ju Ae "hyangdo." This term is reserved exclusively for leading leaders and their successors. Lee explained that "hyangdo" means to light the way forward in the revolutionary struggle.
"Considering the word 'hyangdo' was used, which is only reserved for a leader or successor, the NIS is assessing the succession plan is in shape to some extent," Park Sun-won, another South Korean lawmaker, told reporters.
However, NIS has not ruled out the possibility that other siblings might emerge as potential alternatives in the succession plan since North Korea has not announced an official succession.
Kim Ju Ae - who is she?
Kim's daughter was presented to the world for the first time in 2022. She was once thought to be the second child of the current North Korean leader, but Seoul reported last year that it "cannot confirm for sure." It was once suspected that Kim Jong Un has an older son.
According to South Korean intelligence, Kim and his wife Ri Sol Ju, who married in 2009, have two daughters and a son, born in 2010, 2013, and 2017.
