North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has marked the new year with a significant family visit to a state mausoleum, an event analysts believe could signal the formal grooming of his daughter as the country's future ruler.
A Calculated Public Appearance
On 1 January, state media released photographs showing Kim Jong-un, his wife Ri Sol-ju, and their daughter Kim Ju-ae paying respects at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun. The images, distributed by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), placed the young Ju-ae prominently between her parents in the main hall of the mausoleum.
This visit marks Kim Ju-ae's first public appearance at the site, which houses the remains of her grandfather, Kim Jong-il, and great-grandfather, state founder Kim Il-sung. The North Korean leader traditionally visits the palace on key anniversaries and dates to honour his predecessors.
Rising Profile of a Potential Heir
Over the past three years, Kim Ju-ae's profile in state media has grown steadily, transforming her from a figure shrouded in secrecy to a recurring presence at major national events. This carefully managed increase in visibility has led analysts and South Korea's intelligence service to conclude she is being prepared as the country's fourth-generation leader.
"Her first public visit to the Kumsusan palace is a calculated move from her father," said Cheong Seong-chang, vice-president at the Sejong Institute thinktank. He suggested the timing is crucial, coming ahead of an expected ruling party congress where her succession could be formalised.
In September, Kim Ju-ae undertook her first publicly acknowledged overseas trip, accompanying her father to Beijing. She also attended this year's New Year celebrations, as reported by state-controlled media outlets.
Caution Amidst the Speculation
Despite the compelling evidence, some experts advise caution in drawing definitive conclusions. Hong Min, a researcher at the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification, noted that North Korea has been actively promoting an image of Kim's "stable family" by featuring his wife and daughter at high-profile gatherings.
However, the potential existence and roles of Kim Jong-un's other children remain unknown, leaving room for uncertainty. Furthermore, Hong highlighted the practical challenges of designating a successor at such a young age.
"It's practically impossible to publicly designate Kim Ju-ae, who is believed to have just turned 13, as the successor when she's not even old enough to join the [Workers'] party," Hong stated. The North Korean government has never officially confirmed her age, though she is widely believed to have been born in the early 2010s.
The strategic inclusion of Kim Ju-ae in this solemn new year ritual underscores the ongoing speculation about the secretive state's future leadership. While her path appears to be carefully charted, the ultimate decision on succession within the Kim dynasty remains, as ever, tightly controlled and opaque to the outside world.
