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Kim Ju Ae, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter, has made her international debut, accompanying her father to Beijing this week, marking her out, news agency Reuters reported citing an analyst. The expert dubbed the appearance as "the front runner" to become the country's next leader.

Who is Kim Jong Un's daughter?

Although much details about Kim Jong's Un is not in the public domain, in September 2013, the existence of a child between Kim Jong Un and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, becomes public for the first time when the former American basketball player Dennis Rodman inadvertently reveals the leader has a "baby" daughter named Ju Ae. He said when he held during his visit to Pyongyang. Her exact age at the time is unknown.

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Later in November 19, 202, Reuters reported that a daughter is mentioned for the first time in North Korea's state media which said leader Kim was joined by his "beloved" daughter while overseeing the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on the previous day. The reports never give her name or age, but South Korean intelligence identifies her as Ju Ae. Holding her father's hand, Ju Ae is seen in media photos with chubby cheeks in a white padded children's jacket.

Kim Ju Ae's public appearances

Subsequently, she made multiple appearances in North Korea's historical moments. In 2023, Ju Ae attends a parade marking a founding anniversary of the Korean People's Army. State media begin using the reference "respected" daughter of the leader. The event marks the start of frequent public appearances throughout the year.

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In October 10, 2024, Ju Ae meets Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexandr Matsegora at an event marking the foundation of the ruling Workers' Party, shaking hands as she speaks in his ear. The meeting is the first occasion she is seen in a diplomatic setting. It comes at a time Kim Jong Un is dramatically upgrading the country's ties with Russia having met President Vladimir Putin for the second time in June and signed a major military treaty.

In 2025, she made multiple public appearences. As per media reports, Ju Ae was the second to disembark the train behind Kim Jong Un as he arrived in Beijing on a visit to attend a major World War Two anniversary. However, local media do not immediately mention her travel with her father.

Kim Ju Ae: From 'baby' to 'front runner' in North Korea succession

While she did not appear with Kim Jong Un at the military parade in China on Wednesday, analysts say her first foreign trip confirms her as a likely "front runner" to become North Korea's next supreme leader. 

However, the South Korean spy agency said there are still various possibilities regarding North Korea's power succession process because Kim Jong Un, 41, is still young, has no major health issues and has other children.

Some South Korean officials and experts initially expressed doubts over Ju Ae as the future heir, citing North Korea's male-nominated power structure and Confucian influence.

Since its foundation in 1948, North Korea has been successively ruled by male members of the Kim family. Kim Jong Un inherited power upon his father Kim Jong Il's death in late 2011. Kim Jong Il took over power after his father and state founder Kim Il Sung died in 1994.

North Korea's state media have yet to make any direct comments on a power succession plan beyond Kim Jong Un. It has also not commented on whether Ju Ae has any siblings.

(With inputs from agencies)