Kim Ju Ae is widely believed to be the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol Ju. North Korea has never officially confirmed her name or date of birth.
Now, South Korea’s spy agency says it appears to be entering a “successor designation phase.” Speculation is now rife that Kim Jong Un may be grooming his daughter to become his successor.
What South Korea’s spy agency says
In a recent closed-door briefing for lawmakers, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) said Kim Ju Ae’s increasingly prominent public appearances indicated she was being groomed as her father’s heir.
According to lawmakers briefed by the agency, officials noted a shift in terminology — from describing her as undergoing “successor training” to her status being closer to that of a “successor.” The difference is considered significant.
The agency is closely monitoring whether he will appear at the upcoming Workers’ Party Congress, a major political meeting where Kim Jong Un is expected to outline long-term policy goals and potentially signal future leadership plans.
How old is Kim Ju Ae?
North Korea has never released his date of birth.
South Korea’s NIS estimates she was born in 2012 or 2013.
Former NBA star Dennis Rodman first mentioned the name “Ju Ae” after visiting Pyongyang in 2013, claiming to be holding Kim’s infant daughter.
If she was born in 2013, she would be about 12 or 13 years old in 2025.
There are also unverified claims that Kim Jong Un may have an older son and a younger child, but this has never been confirmed by North Korean authorities.
Kim Ju Ae’s rising public profile
Kim Ju Ae made his first public appearance in November 2022 during the launch of a long-range missile. State media released pictures of her walking alongside her father as she inspected the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile.
-Participated in large military parades
-Appeared during weapons trials and factory visits
-Joined in the national holiday celebrations
-Visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the mausoleum of her grandfather Kim Jong Il and great grandfather Kim Il Sung
-In 2025, he traveled abroad for the first time to attend a military parade in Beijing
Why speculation about the succession abounds
North Korea has been ruled solely by the male members of the Kim family since its founding in 1948. Kim Jong-un himself was formally introduced as the heir apparent in 2010 and assumed power after his father’s death in 2011.
At first, some South Korean officials doubted that a daughter could succeed him in North Korea’s traditionally male-dominated political system. However, her repeated appearances at major military events – notably nuclear and missile displays – prompted a reassessment.
Analysts say her presence at strategic weapons launches can serve two purposes:
-Projecting the idea of dynastic continuity
– Framing nuclear development as protection for “future generations”
Her recent visit to Kumsusan Palace alongside her parents was seen by some experts as a symbolic presentation of her as heir to the country’s founding leaders.
What could happen next?
The upcoming Labor Party convention could offer subtle signals about succession planning. While party rules require members to be at least 18 to hold formal positions, analysts say Kim Jong-un could begin shaping a “revolutionary legacy” narrative without explicitly announcing it.
North Korea has not yet officially declared Kim Ju Ae as the successor. But signs suggest Kim Jong Un may be laying the groundwork for a fourth generation handover of power – potentially making his daughter the future leader of one of the world’s most secretive states, according to South Korea’s intelligence agency.
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