North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un’s Daughter Positioned as Potential Successor

SEOUL — Ju-ae, the daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, is being considered as his potential successor, though the decision is not yet final, according to South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS).

According to Yonhap News Agency, reports from a briefing by the NIS to South Korea's parliamentary intelligence committee, Ju-ae is being strategically presented in public events to prepare her for leadership. This was shared by Rep. Lee Seong-kweun of the ruling People Power Party and Rep. Park Sun-won of the opposition Democratic Party. The NIS's assessment suggests that by tracking Ju-ae's appearances and the contexts in which she is presented, there is a clear grooming process underway for her to potentially lead North Korea in the future.

Ju-ae has been prominently involved in approximately 60 percent of public activities alongside her father, mainly at military events, signaling her importance within the regime. The use of the term "hyangdo," meaning "guide" in references to her, underscores her projected path towards leadership. However, the NIS also noted the uncertainty in the succession, highlighting that other candidates from Kim's family might still emerge.

Furthermore, the NIS has expressed concerns about Kim Jong-un's health, reporting his substantial weight and heightened risk of serious health conditions, exacerbated by lifestyle factors. There are indications that Kim Jong-un is exploring alternative treatments for health issues that traditional medicine has not resolved, adding another layer of complexity to the leadership dynamics in North Korea.