Reignition of Succession Rumors Surrounding Kim Juae
Kim Ju-ae, the daughter of Chairman Kim Jong-un, was revealed in a photo sitting right in the center between Chairman Kim and his wife, which foreign media described as "the clearest signal that Chairman Kim is positioning Kim Ju-ae as his successor."
The American daily The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 8th (local time) in a Seoul dispatch titled 'North Korea's Kim Jong-un sends clearest signal that his daughter is the successor,' stating that analysts have made such remarks after a photo of Kim Ju-ae standing on the central stage at a banquet filled with senior military officials was released.
North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un attended the 75th anniversary celebration of the Founding of the Korean People's Army (February 8) with his daughter Kim Ju-ae, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 8th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Earlier, the Korean Central News Agency recently released several photos showing Chairman Kim and his wife visiting the residences of military generals ahead of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army.
In the released photos, Kim Ju-ae sat between her father Chairman Kim and her mother Ri Sol-ju, but the focus of the photo was on Kim Ju-ae rather than Chairman Kim. Chairman Kim and Ri Sol-ju slightly turned their bodies toward Kim Ju-ae, who sat upright and stared straight ahead. Behind them, military generals stood at attention.
The news agency previously referred to Kim Ju-ae as "beloved daughter" and "honored daughter" in last year's reports, but this time used the term "respected," drawing attention.
WP stated, "Ju-ae, estimated to be around 10 to 11 years old, is shown in the very center of the photo, a seat usually reserved for leaders," adding, "The highest-ranking generals stand behind this family at the table, smiling brightly." It continued, "As they entered the banquet hall, military leaders wearing jackets decorated with medals stood and applauded."
North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un visited the accommodations of the People's Army soldiers on the 7th to commemorate the Army Foundation Day (the founding day of the People's Army), accompanied by his daughter Kim Ju-ae, according to Korean Central TV on the 8th. After visiting the accommodations, Chairman Kim attended the commemorative banquet for Army Foundation Day and delivered a speech. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The outlet also described her appearance, saying, "Her head resembles her stylish mother Ri Sol-ju, and she is wearing a black skirt outfit and practical shoes."
WP noted, "(The Korean Central News Agency) did not provide the girl's name or age, only referring to her as Kim Jong-un's 'respected' daughter," and evaluated that "the use of this adjective is clearly an upgrade from the previous 'beloved'."
It added, "She is presumed to be the girl called 'Ju-ae' who was held by retired NBA star Dennis Rodman during his visit to Pyongyang in 2013." Rodman said in an interview with the British Guardian shortly after his 2013 visit, "I held their daughter Ju-ae and also talked with Mrs. Ri." This was the first time Chairman Kim's daughter's name was publicly revealed, and Kim Ju-ae is estimated to have been born in 2013.
Jung Sung-jang, head of the Unification Strategy Research Division at the Sejong Institute, said that North Korea's report aims to raise Kim Ju-ae's recognition. Jung said, "North Korean residents, who have heard since birth that 'the Kim family is a proud lineage and only their family’s rule is right,' may accept the fourth generation of rule, but whether North Korea's patriarchal system will accept a female ruler remains to be seen."
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