[News Figures] Who Is Kim Ju-ae, Daughter of Kim Jong-un?

On the 20th, Chosun Central TV released footage of Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of North Korea (right), and his daughter. / Chosun Central TV screen [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of North Korea, appeared at the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch site accompanied by his young daughter. Based on the information available so far, the child who appeared this time is presumed to be Kim Ju-ae, the eldest daughter born in 2013. Attention is focused on the background behind revealing the child, who had been thoroughly kept under wraps, and on North Korea's succession structure.

Kim Jong-un, who had concealed the existence of his children... Unprecedented move to reveal his minor daughter

North Korean state media on the 19th released images showing General Secretary Kim, his wife Ri Sol-ju, their daughter, and Kim Yo-jong, deputy director of the Workers' Party and Kim's younger sister, observing the launch process of the 'Hwasong-17' intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Pyongyang Sunan Airport. The girl in the photos appeared to be around 10 years old and bore a striking resemblance to Chairman Kim and Mrs. Ri. Wearing a white padded jacket and red shoes, the daughter held Kim's hand as they walked beside the missile or watched it together.

Subsequently, photos additionally released by Korean Central Television on the 20th showed affectionate scenes of Chairman Kim hugging his daughter from behind or wrapping his arm around her shoulder. There was also a scene where Kim sat on a chair explaining something while Mrs. Ri and their daughter attentively watched. Considering that Kim has never previously exposed his children to the public, this photo release is a very unusual move.

Information about Kim's children has been almost unknown until now. Not only their appearances but also their birth dates, genders, and names have not been accurately confirmed. The limited information available is fragmentary and not officially disclosed by North Korea, making it largely speculative.

According to the National Intelligence Service, Kim and his wife Ri Sol-ju are known to have had three children in total in 2010, 2013, and 2017. The first child is understood to be a son, the second a daughter, while the gender of the third child remains unconfirmed. Considering the age range in the photos, the daughter who appeared this time is presumed to be the second child and eldest daughter, Kim Ju-ae. The name 'Ju-ae' became known after American professional basketball player Dennis Rodman, who visited North Korea in 2013, revealed in a media interview that he had held "(Kim Jong-un's) daughter Ju-ae." The names of the other two children have not been disclosed.

Reasons for revealing the daughter?... Various interpretations including 'succession hint'

There are various interpretations regarding Kim's intention in bringing his daughter to the ICBM launch site. One analysis suggests that it was meant to showcase the success of the ICBM launch domestically and internationally and to promote the missile's stability and reliability as a strategic weapon to the extent that even a young daughter could safely observe it.

North Korea also launched the Hwasong-17 ICBM on the 3rd of this month. However, while the two-stage separation was successful, the missile failed to maintain normal flight and is believed to have crashed into the East Sea. By widely publicizing the fact that Kim brought his daughter to this launch site, it is analyzed that North Korea intended to compensate for the previous launch failure and emphasize the success of the re-launch. It is also interpreted as a demonstration of military resolve to counter the strengthened extended deterrence cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan, and by revealing his daughter's presence, it is seen as an official confirmation of nuclear succession.

General Secretary Kim Jong-un walking side by side holding hands with his daughter. / Chosun Central TV
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Some interpret this as a hint at the succession structure. On the 21st, Jung Sung-jang, director of the North Korea Research Center at the Sejong Institute, appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "Bringing a 9-year-old child could be considered too early if related to succession training," but added, "Considering North Korea's meticulous attitude so far, it is highly likely that this was not an impulsive act but a carefully calculated one."

Jung explained that former National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il chose Kim Jong-un, his third son, as successor at a very early age, bypassing his first and second sons, and said, "North Korea describes the day of this ICBM test launch as a 'momentous day' and a 'historic day.' Bringing one of his three children on such a day cannot be seen as a coincidence."

However, considering Kim's relatively young age in his 30s, there is also an opposing view that it is too early to designate a successor. Bloomberg News stated, "It is rare for North Korean leaders' children to be publicly revealed before they are old enough to take over their father's role," and evaluated, "Kim's daughter appears to be a student and looks too young to hold a political position."

North Korea has traditionally transferred supreme power only to male descendants of the Paektu bloodline, and Kim's case was no different, with his first public appearance as successor in his mid-20s. Therefore, the revelation of his daughter's appearance is interpreted as rather showing that she is not the successor, and that the actual successor, presumably a son, remains hidden.