- Kim Jong-un's daughter, Kim Ju-ae, named heir apparent.
- Potential power struggle with influential sister, Kim Yo-jong.
- Experts warn of brutal succession war in North Korea.
North Korea's "secretive" Kim dynasty faces potential turmoil as speculation mounts over who will succeed its Supreme dictator, Kim Jong-un. According to South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS), the 42-year-old Supreme Leader has designated his 13-year-old daughter, Kim Ju-ae, as his heir apparent, aiming to extend the family's iron-fisted rule into a fourth generation.
Although many details about her daughter are not available in the public domain amid the secrecy they maintain about their family and a very strong mechanism to prevent it from leaking, Kim Ju-ae is the publically acknowledged child of Kim Jong-un and his wife Ri Sol-ju. However, multiple media reports claimed the couple has three children.
She first appeared in state media in November 2022 during a missile test.
North Korea's Kim Jong un's family tree
Since then, his daughter has been increasingly visible at high-profile events, including military parades and policy-related appearances, often described with honorifics like "beloved" or "respected" daughter, terms typically reserved for top regime figures.
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South Korean officials recently briefed lawmakers that she is now at the stage of formal "successor designation," with her role evolving from mere grooming to official positioning. This move breaks with North Korea's deeply patriarchal traditions, where female leadership is rare, though not unprecedented within the family.
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(CREDIT: REUTERS)
However, this plan could spark a fierce power struggle with Kim Jong-un's influential younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, widely regarded as the second-most powerful figure in the regime.
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At around 38 years old, Kim Yo-jong holds key positions, including vice director roles in the Workers' Party's Propaganda and Agitation Department and membership in the State Affairs Commission.
She has significant influence during her brother's absences, even temporarily assuming his duties in 2014 amid health concerns. On multiple occassions, she has her point of view which global media pays attention to.
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Experts warn of a potentially brutal "royal-style" succession war if Kim Jong-un dies or becomes incapacitated prematurely. Former South Korean intelligence official Rah Jong-yil told The Telegraph that Kim Yo-jong, ambitious and ruthless, would likely seize power if she saw an opportunity. "If Kim Yo-jong believed that she had a chance of becoming the top leader, then she would take it," he said, noting the regime's history of unrestrained violence, even against family members.
Kim Yo-jong enjoys strong backing from party and military elites, contrasting with Kim Ju-ae's still-fragile position as a young teenager lacking established networks. The Kim family has ruled North Korea since its founding, with power passing from Kim Il-sung to Kim Jong-il, then to Kim Jong-un in 2011.
Any internal conflict could destabilise the isolated, nuclear-armed state, raising concerns among neighbours and global powers. While Kim Jong-un appears to favour his daughter to preserve the "sacred bloodline," analysts suggest the upcoming major political conference in Pyongyang could reveal more clues about the succession path.
(With inputs from agency)