Kim Jong Un Designates Daughter Kim Ju Ae as North Korea’s Next Supreme Leader
In a defining moment for the future of the Korean Peninsula, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly selected his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, as the official successor to the regime. The move, centered on the child believed to be approximately 13 years old, signals the continuation of the “Mount Paektu bloodline” into a fourth generation, cementing the Kim dynasty’s grip on power.
The elevation of Kim Ju Ae marks a significant escalation in her public profile. Since her debut in November 2022 at the launch of a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile, she has been a constant fixture at her father’s side. State media has progressively upgraded her honorifics from “beloved child” to “respected child,” and more recently, she was referred to as “hyangdo”—a term meaning “great person of guidance,” which is typically reserved exclusively for top leaders and successors. Her presence at military parades and nuclear sites has been interpreted as a clear message to the military elite: loyalty to the father now requires loyalty to the daughter.
However, the designation faces significant skepticism and logistical objections from international observers and intelligence communities. Deep analysis of North Korea’s internal political structure raises questions regarding the viability of a female leader in a deeply patriarchal, Confucian-influenced society. Historically, the North Korean leadership structure has been dominated by male figures, leading some analysts to theorize that Kim Ju Ae may be acting as a protective figurehead or a “mask” to distract from a male heir who is yet to be revealed. Furthermore, critics argue that declaring a successor at such a young age may indicate anxiety regarding Kim Jong Un’s own health, rather than a standard political transition.
Despite these objections, the strategic implication of this appointment is clear: the regime is doubling down on its nuclear capabilities. By associating his daughter so closely with the country’s missile arsenal, Kim Jong Un is linking the survival of his family directly to the survival of the state’s nuclear program. This decision suggests that Pyongyang anticipates no change in its hostile stance toward the West and intends to maintain its militaristic footing for decades to come.
