Kim Jong Un Brings Daughter to Beijing: What to Know About the Possible North Korean Heir
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un brings his young daughter, believed to be named Kim Ju Ae, on a significant foreign trip to China, fueling speculation about her potential role as the country's next leader.
SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made a notable foreign trip with his young daughter in recent years, traveling to China.
This move marks an attempt by Kim Jong Un to break out of isolation and strengthen his position by balancing between traditional allies Moscow and Beijing.
The girl, believed to be around 12 or 13 years old, is thought to be named Kim Ju Ae, although her age and name remain unconfirmed.Kim has been showcasing his daughter at a growing number of major public events tied to his nuclear-armed military, sparking speculation that she may be being groomed as the next leader.
State media have described Kim's daughter as "beloved" and "respected," though they have never publicly named her.
The assumption that her name is Ju Ae comes from an account by former NBA champion Dennis Rodman, who claimed to have held Kim Jong Un’s baby daughter during a trip to Pyongyang in 2013.Exact details about Kim's daughter remain scarce; her age is unconfirmed but South Korean intelligence believes she was born in 2013.
Some speculate that there may be other children, including an older son and a younger sibling of unknown gender.
During his visit to Beijing, Kim Jong Un was accompanied by his daughter, who dressed in a navy pantsuit and half-updo, similar to her mother's public style.Kim’s daughter has been increasingly featured at key events, including missile tests and military parades, raising speculation about her future role.
Her first known foreign trip to China further fuels the idea that she is being prepared as an heir.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service assessed last year that Kim Ju Ae appears to be the likely successor due to her increasing public activities and the state protocols afforded to her.Despite these assessments, there remains uncertainty regarding North Korea's power succession process.
Given Kim Jong Un's youth and lack of significant health issues, as well as other children, the male-dominated power structure and Confucian influences in North Korea raise questions about Ju Ae’s potential leadership role.
Since its founding in 1948, North Korea has been ruled by male members of the Kim family, with Kim Jong Un taking over after his father's death in 2011.North Korean state media have not commented on any direct plans for power succession beyond Kim Jong Un or acknowledged whether Ju Ae has siblings.
This move marks an attempt by Kim Jong Un to break out of isolation and strengthen his position by balancing between traditional allies Moscow and Beijing.
The girl, believed to be around 12 or 13 years old, is thought to be named Kim Ju Ae, although her age and name remain unconfirmed.Kim has been showcasing his daughter at a growing number of major public events tied to his nuclear-armed military, sparking speculation that she may be being groomed as the next leader.
State media have described Kim's daughter as "beloved" and "respected," though they have never publicly named her.
The assumption that her name is Ju Ae comes from an account by former NBA champion Dennis Rodman, who claimed to have held Kim Jong Un’s baby daughter during a trip to Pyongyang in 2013.Exact details about Kim's daughter remain scarce; her age is unconfirmed but South Korean intelligence believes she was born in 2013.
Some speculate that there may be other children, including an older son and a younger sibling of unknown gender.
During his visit to Beijing, Kim Jong Un was accompanied by his daughter, who dressed in a navy pantsuit and half-updo, similar to her mother's public style.Kim’s daughter has been increasingly featured at key events, including missile tests and military parades, raising speculation about her future role.
Her first known foreign trip to China further fuels the idea that she is being prepared as an heir.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service assessed last year that Kim Ju Ae appears to be the likely successor due to her increasing public activities and the state protocols afforded to her.Despite these assessments, there remains uncertainty regarding North Korea's power succession process.
Given Kim Jong Un's youth and lack of significant health issues, as well as other children, the male-dominated power structure and Confucian influences in North Korea raise questions about Ju Ae’s potential leadership role.
Since its founding in 1948, North Korea has been ruled by male members of the Kim family, with Kim Jong Un taking over after his father's death in 2011.North Korean state media have not commented on any direct plans for power succession beyond Kim Jong Un or acknowledged whether Ju Ae has siblings.
