Pyongyang: A North Korean party magazine emphasized the importance of designating the state leader’s successor in a publication from March last year. This publication emerged shortly before leader Kim Jong-un’s daughter, Ju-ae, reappeared in public following a brief hiatus.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the magazine “Geunroja,” which means “workers” in Korean, raised the issue of designating a successor to inherit the role of the political head and establishing the designee’s leadership. The magazine, intended for party officials, is a key publication for ideological indoctrination and policy promotion. It underscored the centrality of handling leadership succession in the country, though it did not mention Ju-ae by name.
The publication emphasized the importance of designating a successor respected and trusted by the people and aligning with the collective will of the party. Establishing the successor’s leadership while the current state head is alive was highlighted as crucial. Additionally, the magazine stressed nurturing party and workers’ loyalty to the successor and combating dissent against the successor’s leadership, drawing parallels with the power transition from the late leader Kim Jong-il to his son, Kim Jong-un.
The March publication appeared a month before Ju-ae was seen in North Korean media with her father at a construction site inspection in Pyongyang, marking her return to public life after a three-month absence. On New Year’s Day, Ju-ae made her first appearance at the family mausoleum, the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, alongside her father, sparking further speculation about her potential role as Kim’s successor.
Despite the ongoing speculation, North Korea has yet to publicly designate Kim’s successor, referring to Ju-ae simply as Kim’s beloved daughter in state media.